M 


No. 


PROPERTY    OF 


iHENRYK.ENGLISHl 


I       INDIANAPOLIS,  IF 


HON.  OLIVER  P.  MORTON.     (1866.) 
Governor  of  Indiana. 


THE 


Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 

UNDER   ITS 

First   Constitution   and    Ritual. 


ITS  BIRTH  AND  ORGANIZATION. 


BY 


MAJOR  OLIVER   M.  WILSON, 

Adjutant-General  Department  of  Indiana  and  Acting  Provis 
ional  Adjutant-General,  July,  1866  to  November  21,  1866; 
Adjutant-General     Department   of    Indiana,    1866- 
1867-1868;  Department  Commander,  1869-1870. 


KANSAS  CITY,   MO.: 
FRANKLIN  HUDSON  PUBLISHING  CO. 

11)05. 


Copyright  1905,  by 

Franklin  Hudson  Publishing  Co. 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 


PREFACE. 

I  write  simply  the  truth  of  history. 


THE  AUTHOR. 


History  of  the  Organization  and  First  Four  Years 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


It  was  a  mysterious  awakening  to  the  youth  of  the 
North  in  18(51  to  obey  the  bugle  call  "To  arms!'1  for  war. 
It  was  the  first  appeal  to  his  chivalry;  and  when  he  became 
a  soldier,  with  musket  in  his  hands,  lie  for  the  first  time 
realized  that  he  was  a  hero.  And  when  he  came  back 
from  the  war,  the  service  lie  had  given  his  country  made 
him  a  veteran,  and  he  became  the  recipient  of  the  Nation's 
homage.  But  the  service  was  something  more  than  simple 
duty  performed,  something  more  than  obeying  commands; 
it  was  a  life  of  hardships,  sufferings,  anguish  of  wounds, 
weary  marches,  privations,  battle.  Such  service  placed 
him  before  the  American  people  as  a  preferred  creditor  of 
the  Nation,  and  no  man,  not  a  soldier,  could  put  himself 
in  his  place.  The  soldier  haid  made  it  possible  to  have  and 
keep  a  united  country,  and  around  him  was  thrown  that 
subtle  charm  that  conies  only  to  those  who  have  felt  the 
heat  and  passion  of  battle. 

.It  was  natural,  therefore,  for  such  men  to  possess  a 
feeling  of  the  very  closest  friendship  for  those  who  had 
shared  with  them  such  service,  which  they  knew  could  only 
be  felt  by  those  who  had  lived  with  them  through  the  hours 
and  days  and  years  of  a  terrible  war.  When,  therefore,  the 

9 


10        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

soldiers  of  the  Union  Army  in  the  War  of  the  Kebellion 
were  mustered  out  of  service,  the  greatest  comradeship  that 
ever  knit  men  together  was  sundered.  The  loss  of  this  com 
panionship,  formed  as  it  was  on  the  march,  in  the  bivouac 
on  skirmish  line,  and  in  battle,  was  keenly  felt  by  the  sol 
dier,  and  he  cheerfully  accepted  whatever  influence  would 
again  unite  him  in  the  fellowship  of  his  comrades.  There 
was1  a  fascination  to  him  in  the  glamour  of  war.  There  was 
now  a  corresponding  charm  to  him  in  the  recollection  of 
army  life.  He  had  passed  through  the  bullet  ordeal  of  the 
world's  greatest  soldiers,  and  his  life  had  become  to  him  the 
reflection  of  patriotic  duty  and  loyalty  to  his  flag.  Hisj  ser 
vice  was  his  country's  heritage,  but  as  a  soldier  he  could  live 
in  what  had  passed  before  him,  and  enjoy  the  ardor  of  what 
the  associations  of  army  life  could  bring  to  him.  Such 
memories  he  held  and  treasured  as  a  sacred  possession. 

Out  of  such  emotions  of  comradeship,  in  the  spirit  of 
fraternity,  came  the  civic  organizations  of  soldiers  to  re 
unite  tha  fellowship  formed  in  the  army,  and  retain  the 
touch  of  elbow  taken  so  many  times  when,  even  to  do  so, 
death  was  to  many  the  result,  but  which,  by  those  who  came 
back  again,  was  held  steadfast  until  our  flag  was  reset — 
unsullied,  the  emblem  of  our  gigantic  nationality.  The  pri 
vate  soldier  and  the  officer  stood  alike  representatives  of  the 
war.  Distinction  by  reason  of  rank  disappeared  with  the 
muster-out,  and  at  no  time  was  the  line  drawn  between  the 
two  as  representing  a  difference  or  grade  of  soldiers  in  such 
fraternity;  the  only  passport  to  fraternity  was  an  honorable 
discharge. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         11 

There  may  have  been  conditions,  an)d  probably  such  had 
something  to  do  with  ?n  earlier  organization  in  Indiana, 
but  such  did  not  influence  the  second  organization  of  the 
soldiers  in  a  confederation  for  mutual  advantage  and  fel 
lowship  in  the  State.  If  such  existed — and  they  doubtless 
did,  but  not  through  or  from  any  sense  of  superior  service — 
they  did  not  develop  later,  after  the  first  organization  was 
projected  with  Colonel  Conrad  Baker  as  Commanding  01  li 
ce  r,  or  President.  The  spirit  and  purpose  of  this  first  organ 
ization  is  best  seen  and  understood  in  the  first  circular 
issued.  A  number  of  comrades  had  been  called  together — 
1  do  not  remember  the  number,  nor  the  names,  of. all  sum 
moned,  nor  who  came,  but  some  thirty  met  in  the  United 
States  court-room  at  Indianapolis.  With  a  perfect  unanim 
ity  and  hearty  accord  they  outlined  a  plan  of  organization 
to  include  the  entire  soldiery  of  the  State,  elected  their  oili- 
cers,  and  left  to  a  future  meeting  to  determine,  what  service 
should  constitute!  eligibility  for  membership,  and  whether  it 
should  -embrace  all  soldiers  without  regard  to  rank.  To  this 
end,  therefore,  the  following  circular  was  prepared  and  sent 
to  all  parts  of  the  State : 

"Indianapolis,  Dec.  1st,  1865. 

"On  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  November  a  number  of 
general  and  field  officers  convened  in  this  city  and  organ 
ized  a  State  army  organization,  by  the  election  of  the  under 
signed  officers  and  the  adoption  of  a  plan  of  organization, 
in  which  the  same  high  emotions  which  knit  together  our 
army  and  navy  in  hardship  and  conflict  will  actuate  the 
members  thereof,  and  perpetuate  the  good  will  and  harmony 
cherished  in  trial  and  triumph  in  the  field. 


12        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"In  view  of  the  desirability  of  having  a  more  perfect 
union  of  the  soldiers  of  Indiana,  and  of  establishing  this 
organization  upon  a  sure  and  permanent  foundation,  we 
respectfully  request  that  you  meet  in  this  city  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  19th  inst,,  at  the  State  Library  rooms,  to  consult 
with  a  number  of  your  comrades  and  thereby  make  perfect 
that  which  has  been  so  auspiciously  begun. 
"We  are  respectfully, 

"Your  obedient  servants, 

"CONRAD  BAKER, 
"Commanding  Officer,  President. 

"BEX  SPOONER, 
ff  Quarter  master-General  j  Treasurer. 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"A djutant-Gencral;  Secretary/' 

Among  the  many  responses  received  in  answer  to  this 
circular,  I  have  found  among  my  papers  the  following: 
"0.  M.  Wilson,  Adjutant  and  Secretary.   / 

"Sir: — It  affords  me  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  an  invitation  to  join  you  in  Indianapolis  on  the  19th  inst., 
to  there  meet  the  soldiers  of  Indiana  that  may  be  present, 
and  assist  in  forming  a  'permanent  army  organization'  for 
the  purpose  of  perpetuating  the  good  feeling  and  union  of 
purpose  that  animated  each  while  struggling  to  overthrow 
the  great  rebellion.  The  purposes  of  the  meeting  meet  my 
entire  approbation,  mid!  I  shall  cheerfully  co-operate  in  every 
way  in  my  power.  ]  trust  you  will  record  me  a  member  will 
ing  to  bear  a  full  share  of  responsibility.  I  regret  being 
obliged  to  add  that  I  cannot  be  present  at  the  time  fixed,  but 


History  of  tJir  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         13 

will  surely  join  with  you  at  any  future  meeting.     I  take  it 
for  granted  the  organization  will  embrace  all  who  took  up 
arms  in  defense  of  our  country. 
"Truly  your  friend, 

"W.  HARROW. 
"Mt.  A'ernon,  Dec.  15th,  1865." 

"Indiana  State  University, 
"Blooming-ton,  Dec,  13th,  1865. 

(f  Adjutant-General   0.   M.    \Yilson,-  Secretary   State   Army 
Organization. 

"Dear  Sir: — Permit  me  through  you  to  express  my  heart 
felt  sympathy  with  the  movement  designated  as  the  'State 
Army  Organization,  and  to  hope  that  it  will  he  eminently 
successful  in  obtaining  its  desired  object  of  'perpetuating 
good  will  and  harmony  among  its  members.'  At  the  time 
appointed  for  your  next  meeting  our  examinations  at  the 
University  will  be  in  progress,  which  will  preclude  the  possi- 
hility  of  my  being  present,  but  1  feel  assured  1  would  read 
ily  concur  in  such  measures  as  may  be  there  devised  and 
adopted. 

"Very  respectfully  yours, 

"RICHARD  OWEN." 

"Headquarters  Military  Division  of  the  Tennessee. 

"Yashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  15th,  1865. 

"Gentleman: — Yours  of  the  J)tli  inviting  me  to  your  con 
sultation  of  officers,  etc.,  on  the  evening  of  the  14th  of 
November  at  yo-ur  city  reached  me  here  to-day.  It  will  be  a 
pleasure  to  me  to  meet  with  the  true  and  faithful  on  that 


14       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

'occasion,  if  in  my  power.  I  have  been  trying  to  get  out  of 
the  service  ever  since  the  fall  of  Richmond.,  but  am  not  yet 
relieved.  I  shall  probably  be  at  home;  between  now  and  the 
14th,  but  will  likely  have  to  return  here  by  that  time.  I 
sihall  ever  cherish  the  'fellowship  and  friendship  formed  in 
the  field7  between  the  officers  ancf  soldiers'  of  Indiana. 

"Believe  me,  Your  humble  servant, 

"W.  GROSE. 

"General  H.  D.  Washburn, 
"Major  0.  M.  Wilson, 

"Indianapolis." 

"La  Fayetto,  Tnd.,  Oct.  25th,  1865. 
"Major  0.  M.  Wilson. 

"Major: — Your  note  of  23d  is  received.  If  I  am  in  the 
State  on  the,  14th  prox.,  it  will  afford  me  much  pleasure  to 
participate*  in  the  proposed  reunion;  the  chances  are,  how 
ever,  that  1  will  not  be  in  Indiana  on  the  day  named,  but 
will  hope  to  meet  our  military  friends  at  some  future  day. 
"Very  truly  yours, 

"J.  J.  REYNOLDS, 

"Major-General." 

The  hearty  concurrence  of  these  gallant  soldiers  with 
many  others  was  an  earnest  of  the  fellowship  so  much  de 
sired  by  the  soldiers  of  Indiana.  The  meeting  on  Decem 
ber  19th  was  large!}'  attended,  representatives  being  present 
from  all  parts  of  the  State.  The  principal  question  dis- 
cussed  was  whether  the  organization  should  include  all  hon 
orably  discharged  soldictrs,  or  whether  it  should  be  confined 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         15 

to  officers  only,  on  the  plan  of  the  old  "Cincinnatus."  There 
were  advocates  of  both  plans,  but  action  was  deferred  to  the 
next  annual  meeting.  In  the  meantime  the  organization 
was  to  implied! y  embrace  officers  only,  without,  however, 
excluding  any  applicant,  as  membership  was  made  permiss 
ive  to  all  soldiers  qualified.  An  adjournment  was  taken  to 
the  following  December,  1866. 

In  the  spring  of  1866  many  inquiries  came  to  me  by  let 
ter  to  know  what  had  become  of  the  "Army  Club,"  the  name 
taken  by  the  organization,  and  if  it  took  in  all  soldiers,  and 
when  it  would  meet.  The  answer  to  these  letters  provoked 
a  general  correspondence,  in  which  it  was  suggested  that  the 
soldiers  wanted  and  felt  the  need  of  an  organization,  that 
such  would  have  a  good  effect,  etc. 

The  fact  was,  out1  "Army  Club''  was,  thus  far,  purely 
social  and  confined  to  officers  only.  There  was  no  obliga 
tion  in  it  for  membership.  We  all  knew  each  other,  and 
no  test  was  required.  The  prevailing  sentiment,  however, 
throughout  the  State  was,  that  an  organization  should  be 
made  to  include  all  soldiers  having  an  honorable  discharge. 
In  this,  I  remember,  the  officers  concurred,  but  on  this  point 
we  stood  still  until  our  meeting  in  December. 

A  political  campaign  had  begun  in  Indiana,  and  each 
day  brought  appeals  to  organize  a  branch  of  the  "Army 
Club."  The  officers  now  saw  a  field  for  organization  that 
had  not  been  entered.  These  communications  were  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Governor  0.  P.  Morton.  He,  too,  had  been 
urged  to  co-operate  and  hasten  action  on  the  plea  to  "hold 
the  soldiers."  This  was  in  the  spring  of  1866,  or  early 


16        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

summer — some  time  in  June.  Accordingly  Governor  Mor 
ton  sent  for  Major-General  B.  S.  Foster,  of  Indianapolis. 
The  fertile  brain  of  the  one  and  the  genius  of  the  other 
gave  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  not  only  to  Indiana, 
but  to  the  Nation. 

The  authorship  of  the  Ritual  of  tke  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  as  well  as  tho  first  Constitution,  or  Rules  and 
Regulations,  is  credited  to  Major  B.  F.  Stephenson,  Sur 
geon  United  States  Volunteers  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
This  claim  was  never  denied.  Thus  far  this  great  ordeir  had 
its  start — in  conception.  But  it  was  for  a  mightier  brain, 
;a  sagacious  loader  of  men,  a  man  resourceful  and  tactful, 
a  political  giant — Oliver  P.  Morton — to  see  the  povssibilities 
which  would  arise  from  the  organization  outlined  by  Major 
Stephenson  for  making  it  a  power  in  the  land,  and  thereby 
to  make  permanent  and  secure  the  victories  of  loyalty  over 
•rebellion,  by  keeping  in  the  minds  of  the  soldiers  the  prin 
ciples  for  which  they  had  fought. 

Governor  Morton  had  been  attracted  by  the  name.  Hi1 
had  heard  through  some  source  that  it  was  political,  so  far 
as  to  assert  preference  for  the  soldieir  and  a  demand  for  the 
•care  and  protection  of  the  soldier's  widow  and  orphan,  and 
that  the  friend  of  the  soldier  should  be  preferred  for  office. 
This  meant  political  ostracism  for  those  who'se  faith  had 
wavered,  or  had  not  been  strong  enough  to  openly  declare 
for  the  support  of  the  Union.  A  political  campaign  in  Indi 
ana  meant  the  marshaling  of  every  soldier  in  the  party  that 
supported  him  as  governor  during  the  war.  Her  soldiers 
were  his  friends.  He  had  been  their  friend.  He  saw  it  pos- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        17 

8ible  to  keep  them  united,  and  yet  not  appeal  to  their  preju 
dices  or  passions  not  vet  wholly  cooled  or  allayed  from  strife 
in  the  war.  He  wanted  them  to  remain  loyal.  He  knew 
they  needed  no  second  inspiration  to  show  their  loyalty,  but 
he  was  fearful  that  evil  and  disloyal  influences  at  the  homes 
of  man}',  against  whom  as  governor  of  the  State  he  had  con 
tended  during  the  war,  would  mislead  many,  and  his  first 
wish  was  to  preserve  unsullied  the  record  of  Indiana's  sol 
diers  from  the  taint  of  affiliation  with  the  political  party 
that  had  opposed  the  war,  and  with  which  they  had  acted 
when  it  bore  an  honorable  name.  As  a  means  to  this  end, 
whatever  would  add  strength  to  the  loyal  sentiment  of 
Indiana  he  advised,  urged,  and  adopted. 

The  organization  he  had  heard  of  had  not  yet  been  pro 
ductive.  Our  first  knowledge  of  it  came  from  him.  It  was 
yet  in  embryo.  But  before  he  would  encouragi'  it,-  use  or 
adoption  in  Indiana,  he  first  sought  to  know  if  it  was  prac 
ticable.  He  took  counsel,  sending  for  General  Foster,  to 
whom  he  imparted  his  information.  It  was  thought  it  could 
be  made  effectual  in  Indiana. 

At  the  request  of  Governor  Morton,  General  Foster  vis 
ited  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the 
plan  of  this  organization.  He  there  called  upon  Major 
Stephenson,  with  whom  he  talked  over  the  work  he  had 
written,  the  Major  reading  portions  of  it  to  General  Foster 
from  manuscript,  and  explaining  the  object  and  plan  of  the 
'order  he  desired  to  organize.  I  now  quote  General  Foster's 
statement  and  account  of  this  inierview  given  me  a  good 
many  years  ago,  and  since  made  hv  him  as  one  of  a  commit- 


18        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

tee  on  the  first  organization,  to  the  Department  of  Indiana, 
1901.,  and  which  is  familiar  to  many  comrades  in  Indiana. 

"He  [Stephensori]  said  he  had.  trouble  in  getting  the 
'boys'  there  to  'take  hold  of  it';  that  it  was  a  good  thing, 
and  he  would  be  glad  to  have  mie  bring  it  to  Indiana  and 
organize  it,  or  'start  it/  werei  his  words,  in  our  State.  He 
manifested  great  anxiety  and  zeal  in  getting  it  introduced, 
and  expressed  himself  as5,  very  anxious  that  we  should  intro 
duce  it  in  Indiana,.  He  administered  to  me  the  obligation 
of  the  Ritual  for  this  purpose,  and  gave  me  a  copy  of  the 
Constitution1  and  Ritual.  Some  of  it  was  printed,  and  some 
in  manuscript — I  think  the  Ritual,  but  I  don't  remember 
.now  which  part  was  printed,  most  likely  the  Constitution, 
for  I  know  I  had  the  obligation  of  the  Ritual  on  a  slip  of 
paper  when  1  obligated  my  tdn  charter  members." 

Upon  General  Foster's  return  home  he  at  once  commu 
nicated  with  myself  and  a  few  intimate  comrades,  and  fixed 
a  time  and  place  for  presenting  the  plan  of  this  organiza 
tion.  There  he  administered  to  us  the  same  obligation  he 
"had  taken  from  Stephenson,  from  a  slip  of  paper  which  he 
at  the  time  held  in  his  hand.  Tliofee  comrades  he  consti 
tuted  his  charter  members  for  a  Department  organization. 
No  commission,  or  so-styled  appointment,  as  "Department 
Commander"  was  given  to  him  by  anyone  claiming  to  be 
authority  in  the  OrVler.  Such  an  assumption  to  commission 
him  was  nc"ver  claimed  or  exercised  by  Stephenson.  He  was 
left  to  do  as  thought  best  after  consulting  with  his  com 
rades.  Upon  giving  them  the  obligation  he  was  made  by 
their  unanimous  vote  Department  Commander  under,  and 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         19 

agreeably  to  the  form  and  provision  of  the  Constitution  he 
had  brought  from  Major  Stephenson,  and  at  once  com 
menced  the  organization  of  the  State.  The  comrades  chosen 
by  him  to  receive  the  first  muster  in  the  Order  in  Indiana 
were  General  Dan  Macauley,  Colonel  W.  H.  Schlater, 
Colonel  C.  J.  Dobbs,  Captain  E.  F.  Bitter,  Captain  Charles 
W.  Brouse,  Major  John  N.  Scott,  myself,  and  three  others 
whose  names  I  have  forgotten,  so  also  has  General  Foster. 
Tf  the  old  Charter,  which  I  think  Post  No.  1  was  built  upon, 
could  be  found,  these  names  will  be  found  upon  it.  I  think 
our  Department  Charter  went  into  Post  No.  1.  This  char 
ter  was  displayed  at  Department  Headquarters  as  our  only 
authority  to  act. 

General  Foster,  upon  bring  chosen  Department  Com 
mander,  first  gavo  attention  to  details  of  the  organization, 
in  selecting  twenty  comrades  to  visit  different  parts  of  the 
State.  Tt  became  necessary  at  the  start  to  procure  the  print 
ing  of  the  Constitution,*  lvitiial,f  Charters,  blanks,  etc,  Be 
fore,  however,  we  could  do  this,  we  had  organized  Post  No. 
1  at  Indianapolis  simply  by  giving  the  obligation,  as  a  great 
political  rally  was  near,  at  which  General  Macauley  as  Post 
Commander  turned  out  his  Post  about  one  thousand  strong 
to  receive  Governor  Ogle-shy  and  Colonel  Bobert  J.  Ingersol, 
of  Illinois.  This  was  on  the  22d  day  of  August,  186G. 

The  printing  of  Constitutions,,  Bituals,  Charters,  blanks, 
etc.,  was  placed  in  the  custody  of  Captain  Charles  W. 
Brouse,  then  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Downey  &  Brouse, 
printers.  Captain  Brouse  supervised  in  person  this  print- 

*See  appendix  I  for  fac-simile  photographic  reproduction  of  Constitution. 
fSee  Appendix  II. 


20       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

ing,  especially  the  Ritual,  which  was  done  by  comrades, 
member?  of  the  organization.  He  has  been  enabled  to  find 
among  the  entries  on  his  books  of  that  day  a  record  of  the 
work  so  done  for  the,.  Department  of  Indiana,  as  well  as  for 
posts,  and  at  my  request  made  of  him  some  years  ago  fur 
nished  me  with  a  certified  statement  of  the  printing  sex  done, 
which  statement  is  as  follows,  showing  the  date  it  was  deliv 
ered  to  us : 

GRAND   ARMY   OF    THE    REPUBLIC—STATE. 

August  22d,  1866. 
To  3,000  Constitutions. 
To  500  Charters,  lith. 
To  1,000  Additional  secret  work. 

August  28th,  1866. 
To  500  blanks $4.00 

September  15th,  1866. 

To  300  J-shcet  note  blank? $5.50 

To  2,000  i-sheet  details 9.50 

To  3,000  J-sheet  circulars 19.00 

September  15th,  1866. 
By  cash $227.00 

September  20th,  1866. 

To  3,000  songs $12.00 

To  300  -J -sheet  circulars ' 8.00 

September  28th,  1866. 

To  1,000  ,1-sheet  circulars $9.50 

October  22d,  1866. 
To  500  copies  encampment  regulations. .  .. $12.00 


Uistonj  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         21 

November  6th,  186G. 

To  1,000  enlistment  and  muster $49.25 

To  1,000  letter-heads 13.00 

To  300  General  Orders 3.00 

To  200  4-page  note  circulars 10.50 

Xovdmber  17th,  18(>(i. 

To  6,000  Special  Order,  Xo.  1:5 $63.50 

To  300  General  Orders 4.00 

"Indianapolis,  September,  1887. 

"I  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  charge*?  and  credits 
are  taken  from  the  day-hook  of  the  late  linn  of  Downey  & 
B rouse,  printers  and  publishers  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana; 
that  I  was  a  member  of  that  firm;  that  the  entries  were 
made  at  the  time  the  work  was  finished  and  delivered  to  the 
proper  officers'  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  "Republic;  that  the 
credit  of  $227,  which  appears  under  date  of  September 
15th,  1866,  was  for  printing  done  prior  to  that  time;  that 
I  am  unable  to  find  the  book  of  original  entry,  or  charge 
called  the  job  book,  which  1  believe  would  show  the  first 
work  done  for  the  Department  of  Indiana  not  later  than 
the  1st  of  August,  1866.  That  1  wa>  an  artive  member  of 
Post  Xo.  1,  of  Indiana,  and  that  the:  work  done  as  appears 
under  date  of  September  17th,  1866,  was  done  after  the  Post 
had  been  in  active  operation  for  some  considerable  time. 

"ClIAKLES   W.    BllOUSE." 

It  will  be  observed  that  on  August  22d,  1866,  Captain 
lii-oiise  delivered  ;>,()()()  copies,  printed,  of  our  Constitution, 


22        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

500  charters,  and  1,000  additional  secret  work.  This  secret 
work  was  the  Ritual,  and  this  entry  shows  that  they  were 
additional  to  what  had  already  been  printed,  and  furnished 
Department  headquarters,  as  the  number  printed  of  this 
secret  work  corresponded  with  the  Constitution.  Captain 
BrousG  was  required  to  give  his  personal  supervision  to  this 
secret  work.  He  communicated  with  me  only  concerning 
the  printing.  He  reminded  me  in  1887,  when  this  certifi 
cate  was  given,  that  I  at  one  time  desired  him  to  hastan  the 
printing  of  all  this  work,  that  I  might  get  some  of  it  off 
to  Illinois  for  Stephenson. 

As  soon  as  we  could  get  a  supply  of  printed  matter,  Con 
stitutions,  Rituals,  and  charters!,  General  Foster  issued  his 
first  General  Order,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

"Adjutant-GeneM's  Office, 
"Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Aug.  20,  1866. 
"General  Orders,  No.  1. 

"The  following  named  officers  are  hereby  announced  on 
duty  at  these  headquarters : 

"Colonel  Wm.  H.  Schlater,  Aide-de-camp  and  Chief  of 
Staff. 

"Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  Adjutant-General. 
"By  order  of 

"R,  S.  FOSTER, 

"Commander  Department  of  Indiana. 
"Official. 

"Assistant  Adjutant-General" 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        23 

It  was  not  possible  to  estimate  the  strength  of  the 
organization  at  the  time  General  Foster  issued  this  first 
order.  It  numbered  many  thousand.  The  order  was  de 
layed  for  good  reasons;  it  was  thought  its  tenor  might  mis 
lead  in  this :  that  Posts  organized  previously  would  be  denied 
their  seniority.  But  this  was  not  so.  From  the  time  the 
organization  in  the  State  was  commenced,  when  General 
Foster  gave  the  obligation  to  his  ten  comrades,  personal  and 
professional  duties  were  abandoned  by  those  having  anything 
to  do  with  the  organization.  Aides  were  sent  to  and  ap 
pointed  in  nearly  every  county.  Posts  were  organized,  first 
by  giving  only  the  obligation;  then,  upon  getting  the  Rit 
ual  and  charter,  they  were  mustered  in  due  form.  Before 
the  organization  had  progressed  to  any  extent,  General  Fos 
ter  sent  me  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  confer  with  Major 
Stephenson,  General  Webber,  and  Colonel  Mather — com 
rades  we  had  first  met  there  and  with  whom  conference  had 
been  had — as  to  what  was  best  to  do  as  to  printing,  etc.,  and 
about  a  badge,  and  whether  we  had  better  try  to  push  the 
order  beyond  the  limits  of  our  own  State. 

I  found  Major  Stephenson  disappointed  in  what  he 
claimed  the  failure!  of  his  own  "boys"  to  "take  hold  of  it," 
saying  they  didn't  seem  to  appreciate  such  a  thing;  that  they 
didn't  want  to  have  anything  to  do  with  any  organization 
that  seemed  to  forecast  restraint  upon  their  action,  and  that 
would  require  them  to  observe  certain  forms  of  ceremony; 
that  the  free  and  easy  hurrah  .style  of  soldiers  suited  them 
best,  and  such  meetings  the  boys  would  attend.  He  felt  a 
corresponding  degree  of  pleasure  when  told  of  our  success. 


24        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  Hie  Republic. 

He  said  further,,  that  somehow  the  right  kind  of  men 
couldn't  he  interested.,  but  as  we  were  in  a  big  fight  in  Indi 
ana — meaning  our  campaign — we  could  get  the  boys  to 
take  hold  of  it,  because  we  had  a  Morton  in  the  fight.  He 
became  enthusiastic  over  his  Ritual.  He  asked  my  opinion 
of  the  Ritual  and  Constitution;  he  spoke  as  if  he  had  no 
organization.  I  told  him  my  only  objection  was  in  the 
name:  it  was  too  cumbersome,  and  sounded  too  "buncombe'"; 
that  I  thought  he  could  get  one  to  express  the  character  of 
an  organization  that  would  at  the  same  time  reflect  the  char 
acter  of  the  men  composing  it,  thetn  the  "boys"  would  more 
cheerfully  be  drawn  to  it,  but  that  "Grand  Army  of  the 
[Republic"  sounded  like  a  play-word  for  children.  He 
•frankly  said  the  same  objection  had  been  made  by  others, 
but  he  could  think  of  no  better  name,  and  asked  me  to  sug 
gest  one.  I  told  him  I  couldn't;  we  would  take  it  as  he 
made  it.  I  met  Generals  Webber  and  Mather,  who  talked 
to  me  as  did  Stephenson.  As  to  the  name!,  they  said  it  was 
the  name  chosen  by  the  "old  man" — meaning  Major  Ste 
phenson,  of  whom  they  always  spoke  with  much  love.  They 
said  he  was  disappointed  in  not  having  liis  "Grand  Army" 
seized  on  by  the  "boys";  that  he  put  a  good  deal  of  time  and 
labor  on  it,  and  therefore!  they  encouraged  him  in  every  way 
'they  could,  but  they  doubted  if  the  "old  man"  would  make 
it  succeed,  or  was  the  right  one  to  start  it.  "The;  boys  here 
don't  seem  to  take  to  it,"  said  General  Mather;  "they  don't 
want  any  'play'  soldier  in  theirs."  General  Webber,  who 
was  present,  then  said  to  me,  "You  Hoosicrs  are  the  very 
boys  to  take  it;  you  have  a  Morton  in  your  campaign,  and 


History  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.         25 

if  anybody  can  put  it  on   its  feet,  'Sandy'  Foster  ean"- 
meaning  General  V\.  S.  Foster. 

I  have  no  recollection  of  our  Department  ever  reporting 
to  Stephen  son,  or  even  to  anybody,  until  after  the  National 
Encampment  in  November,  ISiiii.  General  Julius  Webber,, 
of  Springfield,  A.  ().  Belim,  of  Lafayette,  and  myself,  by 
direction  of  General  Foster,  constituted  the  Committee  on 
Badge,  and  \ve  designed  the  first  badge  of  the  Order.  It 
•was  manufactured  in  Lafayette,  Indiana.  I  was  Fos 
ter's  first  and  only  adjutant-genera.!  in  I860;  Kiniball's  in 
1867,  Foster's  again  in  1868,  and  wais  elected  Department 
Commander  in  1869,  and  succeeded  by  Colonel  Lewis  Hum 
phrey,  of  South  Bend,  in  1870.  During  all  this  time  I  was 
familiar  not  only  with  what  was  done  in  Indiana,  but  in 
many  other  Departments,  as  will  appear  in  succeeding 
pages.  This  statement  is  made  here  that  the  reader  may 
know  that  what  follows  is  not  based  upon  memories  of  what 
transpired  during  the  founding  of  the  Grand  Army,  but  is 
#  statement  of  facts  as  appear  upon  the  records  of  those 
years  now  in  my  possession  and  my  personal  property. 

It  is  well  to  understand  this  fact  that,  though  this  Order 
was  organized  in  the  heat  of  a  political  contest,  its  princi 
ples  were  written  in  sincerity  of  purpose — its  foundation 
principles,  the  three  cardinal  virtues,  fraternity,  charity, 
and  loyalty,  without  reference  to  political  affiliation  or  sym 
pathy,  and  only  as  it  was  strongly  partisan  in  organization, 
in  localities,  did  it  become  political.  Soldiers  affiliating  with 
both  political  parties  became  charter  members  of  the  same 
Post. 

2- 


26        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

So  rapidly  did  enlistments  follow  General  Order  No.  1., 
that  in  many  eases  the  obligation  only  was  given,  leaving  the 
soldier  to  select  whatever  Post  he  desired.  The  Senate 
.Chamber  was,  on  several  occasions,  appropriated  for  nius-- 
tcring  purposes,  because  of  its  advantages!.  At  the  first 
muster  there,  there  must  have  been  at  least  forty  who  took 
the  obligation  simply  to  become  members,  without  any  as- 
fsignment.  Districts  were  formed,  composed  of  a  number  of 
counties,  for  which  aides  were  chosen  whose  duty  was  to 
visit  the  towns  to  muster  in  groups  that  were  already  formed 
to  organize  Posts.  In  this  way  the  State  was  organized. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  our  efforts  were  not  to  be 
confined  to  our  own  State.  Letters  came  from  different 
parts  of  the  country,  inquiring  about  the  "Grand  Army," 
how  they  could  get  it,  etc.  No  one,  as  far  as  we  knew,  had 
the  right  tot  grant  a  Department  Charter,  or  any  special  priv 
ileges,  unless  it  was  Stephenson,  and  he  had  not  claimed  to 
•have  any  more  right  than  did  General  Foster.  During  this 
period  Major  Stephenson  wrote  to  us  from  time  to  time  for 
blank  Charters,  Constitutions  and  Rituals,  which  were  cheer 
fully  sent  to  him  without  charge.  He  also  wrote  for  various 
supplies,  stating  they,  as  yet,  had  none  and  would  have  to 
rely  upon  our  Department  until  his  State  was  organized. 
This  condition  of  affairs  them  may  seem  strange  to  many 
now,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Illinois  is  recognized  as  the 
first  organized  Department,  but  it  nevertheless  was  a  fact, 
and  one  that  at  no  time  then,  or  upon  any  occasion,  pro 
voked  comment.  We  were  indebted  to  Stephenson  for  the 
Order — we  were  paying  our  debt.  We  never  at  any  time 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  llepiibtic.        27 

claimed  paternity.  The  question  was  never  mooted.  We 
never  even  took  note  of  time  or  plaee  of  the  organization 
there  or  elsewhere,,  except  in  our  own  State.  We  not  only 
aided  him  and  all  others  with  whatever  we  had  in  supplies, 
'but  asked  him  to  declare  himself  Commander-in-Chief. 

The  one  great  event  that  entered  into  our  councils  now 
was  how  to  ho  represented  in  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Con 
vention  called  to-  assemble  at  Pittsburg,  September  25th_, 
180(5;  whether  we  should  try  to  go  as  a  "Grand  Army"  body, 
or  en  masse,  and  yet  preserve  our  organization  in  representa 
tion.  The  latter  method  was  adopted,  and  General  Foster 
issued  the  following  circular  letter : 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 
"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Adjutant-General's  Oflicc, 

"Indianapolis,  Sept.  12th,  18(>(>. 
"Commander  District  of  -    — . 

"Sir: — I  am  directed  by  Major-General  E.  S.  Foster, 
Commanding  Department  of  Indiana,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  to  request  you  to  take  immediate  measures  for  a 
full  representation,  en  masse  or  by  delegates,  from  your  Dis 
trict  to  the  Pittsburg  Convention;  of  Soldiers  and  Sailors,  to 
be  held  on  the  25th  of  this  month.  'No  convention  of  a  sim 
ilar  character  has  ever  been  held,  and  it  becomes  us  as  loyal 
soldiers  to  cordially  respond  to  this  call.  The  American 
Volunteer  Army,  though  disbanded,  is  yet  a  unit,  and  the 
same  high  emotions  which  knit  its  members  together  when 
hardships  came,  or  the  conflict  raged,  still  actuate  the  mass 
of  our  soldiers.  No  credentials  are  necessary  except  loy- 
altv.  Indiana  presented  them  in  the  'field/  and  let  it  ever 


28        Hilton/  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

be  H;I id  she  stands  ready  at  any  time,  in  any  way,  to  present 
them  anywhere  on  the  face  of  the  globe. 

"0.  M.  WILSOX, 
"Adjutant-General  Department!' 

The  response  to  this  circular  came  from  every  District, 
and  many  Posts.  It  bex.-a.me  necessary  to  instruct  the  dele 
gates  to  go  direct  to  Pittsburg,  to  Indiana  headquarters 
there,  at  the  Monongehala  House,  instead  of  coming  via 
Indianapolis.  At  this  time  reports-  from  one  hundred  and 
thirty-four  Posts  were  received,  nearly  every  one  of  which 
was  represented  in  that  Convention.  A  large  delegation, 
more  than  occupying  one  car,  went  from  Indianapolis,  all 
Grand  Army  men  wearing  the  badge  we  had  printed — a 
white  ribbon  with  "Grand  Army  of  the  Republic"  in  gilt  let 
ters,  an  eagle  underneath,  and  below,  "Indiana"  in  large 
letters,  all  in  gilt.  These  badges  were  distributed  to  every 
Indianian  at  that  convention,  and  to  many  others  they  were 
given,  being  asked  for  as  souvenirs. 

Remembering  the  many  inquiries  made  for  the  "'work," 
General  Foster  permitted  me  to  take  a  supply  of  Charters, 
Rituals,  and  Constitutions,  and  in  the  use  of  proper  discre 
tion,  to  give  the  "work"  to  such  representative  soldiers  of 
different  States  who  should  apply  for  it." 

From  the  published  proceedings  of  that  great  Conven 
tion  of  soldiers,  I  cull  a  few  items,  noting  this  fact,  that 
Indiana  was  the  only  State  represented  there  by  an  organ 
ized  body  of  "Grand  Army"  men.  To  be  sure,  many  of  our 
Indiana  comrades  there  had  not  yet  become  members,  but 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        29 

'they  all  assembled  at  our  headquarters,  and  recognized  the 
organization  as  the  proper  and  only  exponent  of  their  sen 
timent  and  wish  as  soldiers: 

"Encampment  of  0.  A.  Pi.  of  Indiana,  Post  No.  1, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
"Kendallville,  Ind.,  Sept.  19th,  1866. 
"Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  this  Encampment  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  feeling  ourselves  to  be  in 
full  sympathy  with  the  high  and  noble  aims  and  intentions 
which  have  caused  our  comrades1  of  the  army  and  navy  to 
call  a  mass  convention  to  meet  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Sept.  23th, 
1866,  to  express  their  views  on  the  important  political  issues 
agitating  our  common  country,  do  in  special  meeting  declare 
ourselves  fully  endorsing  tin's  noble  call  in  eacli  and  every 
particular;  and  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  the  Commander  of  fhis  Post  order  the 
Adjutant  to  send  these  resolutions,  accompanied  by  the 
members,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  of  the  Encampment, 
to  General  James  S.  Xegley,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

"M.  F.  COLLIER, 
"Post  Commander. 
"H.  H.  NELSOX, 
"Post  Adjutant." 

"Evansville,  Ind.,  Sept.  17ih,  1866. 
"General  J.  S.  Negley. 

"'I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  delegation  of  three  or 
more  of  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Union  and  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  of  Yanderburg  County,  Indiana,  will  take 


30       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

part  in  the   Convention  to   be  held  in  your  city  on  the 
25th  inst. 

"The  following  are  the  delegates:  Win.  Warren,  Jr., 
24th  Indiana  Veteran  Volunteers;  E.  Tbunhemielt,  First 
Lieutenant  1st  Indiana  Battery;  Captain  Darling,  25th  In 
diana  Volunteers ;  and  your/  respectful  and  obedient  servant, 

"EDWARD  WEHLER, 
"Late  Colonel  178th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  Volunteers/' 

The  above  are  given  to  show  ijhe  representation  of  the 
State,  of  the  Grand  Army  from,  Indiana  in  that  Convention, 
Kendallville  in  the  extreme  northern  and  Evansville  on  the 
southern  border.  There  is  no  record  of  any  other  State  rep- 
Tcsentcd  there  by  this  organization  as  such.  Others  came 
as  representatives!  of  the  "Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Union"  and 
"Convention/7  "Boys  in  Blue/'  "Kansas  Veteran  Brother 
hood"  and  other  titles.  By  the  Mayor  of  Pittsburg,  Hon 
orable  W.  C.  McCarthy,  the  soldiers  were  welcomed  in  an 
address  as  "Boys  in  Blue."  The  surviving  Indianians  of 
that  Convention  will  remember  the  song  by  E.  W.  H.  Ellis, 
of  Indiana,  dedicated  to  the  Department  of  Indiana  as  the 
"Rallying  Song  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic"  which 
is  herewith  given,  since  the  words  bear  great  significance  to 
the  Jiitual,  which  those  of  us  at  that  time  remember,  as  well 
as  to  the  political  spirit  of  the  times : 


History  of  flic  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        31 

1. 

There's   a  mighty   army   gathering  throughout   the    East 

and  West, 

With  banners  gaily  flaunting  they  speed  _along  with  zest, 
And  the  motto  they  are  shouting  ,"We  fight  for  the  oppressed, 
As  we  go  marching  on." 

Chorus:     Glory,  glory,  hallelujah,  etc. 

2. 

Their  ranks  are  filled  with  heroes,  who  fought  in  deadly 

strife, 

To  shield  the  Constitution  and  save  the  Nation's  life 
From  the  maddened  rebel's  fury  and  fhe  base  assassin's  knife, 
As  they  went  marching  on. 

3. 

From  the  gory  fields  of  battle,  from  the  mountain  and  the 

plain, 
Where  the  wood  and  rocks  are  blushing  with  the  blood  of 

kindred  slain, 

They  come  with  arms  victorious  to  battle  once  again, 
As  they  go  marching  on. 

4. 
They  have  sworn  upon  the  altar  of  their  country  and  their 

God, 

'By  the  spirits  of  the  gallant  dead,  who  sleep  beneath  the  sod, 
Their  neck  shall  never  bow  again  beneath  the  oppressor's  rod, 
As  they  go  marching  on. 


32        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

5. 

They  have  sworn  with  hand  uplifted,  upon  the  bended  knee, 
They  ne'er  will  ground  their  arms  again,  till  all  mankind 

are  free 

And  every  tongue  once  manacled  shall  shout  for  liberty, 
As  they  go  marching  on. 

6. 

The  glorious  hour  is  coming,  the  day  is  drawing  nigh, 
When  slavery  and  oppression  shall  lay  them  down  and  die, 
And  universal  freedom  shall  be  echoed  through  the  sky, 
As  they  go  marching  on. 

Looking  back  upon  that  Convention,  it  seems  that  the 
time  and  place  was  fitly  chosen  for  that  groat  ebullition  of 
'feeling  pent  up  since  18(50,  for  there  never  was  demonstra 
tive  exultation  by  the  Union  soldier  during  the  war.  But 
jiow  it  seemed  that  all  of  the  armies  had  met  for  congratu 
lations,  that  the  old  flag  had  been  reset,  and  in  the  passion 
of  the  hour  was  revived  a  delirium  of  patriotism.  Never 
before  was  there  such  a  gathering  of  soldiers;  even  the 
parade  at  Washington  at  the  close  of  the  war  was  but  a  part 
of  the  Army.  Never  again  will  it  be  possible  for  a  like 
assembly. 

Indiana  soldiers  were  represented*  in  this  Convention  not 
only  by  their  Grand  Army  officers,  but  officially  by  General 
Milo  S.  Hascall  as  chairman  of  our  delegation  (several  thou 
sand)  ;  General  Dan  Macauley  and  Major  Ed.  Armstrong, 
Secretaries;  General  Thomas  J.  Brady  and  Colonel  Win. 
O'Brien,  Committee  on  Organization;  Private  Win.  .Warren 


History  of  the.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        33 

and  Colonel  A.  I).  Straight,  Vioe-Presidents;  General  Thos. 
W.  Bennett  and  Colonel  S.  P.  Oyler,  on  Resolutions;  mem 
bers  of  the  National  Committee,  soldiers  and  sailors,  Gen 
eral  B.  S.  Foster,  T.  W.  Bennett,  and  Milo  S.  Hascall. 

An  incident  occurred  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Conven 
tion  that  will  be  remembered  not  only  by  every  Indianian 
there,  but  by  many  others.  The  Hoosier  was  everywhere; 
he  was  in  evidence  upon  all  occasions,  and  upon  any  emer 
gency;  in  fact,  he  was  "too  numerous"  to  discipline.  So 
when  the  word  came  to  "fall  in/''  it  fell  upon  a  sea  of  human 
ity.  But  somehow  we  succeeded  in  forming  a  column,  and 
proceeded  to  make  our  way  to  the  hall  of  the  Convention. 
We  got  to  the  stairway,  and  stuck — in  the  jam.  We  simply 
'held  our  ground  because  we  couldn't  do  anything  else. 
Something  had  to  "give  way"  pretty  soon,  or  somebody  would 
be  crushed.  Presently  our  leader,  llascall,  was  heard  above 
the  din,  "Forward,  Indiana!"  Somehow  the  living  mass  in 
which  we  were  wedged,  and  through  which  we  were  inch  by 
inch  pushing  our  way,  began  to  realize  that  we  were  going 
into  that  hall,  and  somehow  we  began  to  slip  along  a  little 
easier.  We  got  in,  how  many  I  don't  know — probably  a  hun 
dred  and  fifty.  I  said  we  got  in.  We  did  more.  We  got  to 
the  very  front  seats,  whether  reserved  for  Indiana  I  don't 
know,  but  1  do  remember  that  1  was  close  to  Hascall,  who. 
as  we  halted,  turned  to  see  how  many  of  the  boys  were  there, 
and  if  any  needed  help  to  get  there.  He  looked  as  if  he  had 
come  out  of  a  furnace,  and  his  rai'mfent  was  very  limp.  Jusi 
then  .Indiana  was  called.  The  General  turned,  and  in  a 
loud,  clear,  ringing  voice  shouted,  "Here  she  is — where  she 
always  was — at  the  front  \" 


34        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

In  the  great  torchlight  procession  the  8th  Ward  "Boys 
in  Blue"  of  the  4th  Division,,  Pittsburg,  bore  this  "strange 
device" :  "All  hail  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic !" 

General  Willich,  in  his  speech  in  the  Convention,  speak 
ing  for  Indiana,  said:  "No  doubt  they  can  now  see  where 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  is.  That  army  is  here,  and 
the  heart  of  the  people  is  here." 

The  Convention  might  be  said  to  have  been  in  session  all 
the  time  all  over  the  city.  Entertainments,  receptions,  etc., 
were  of  hourly  occurrence  without  reference  to  daytime  or 
night-timei.  The  longest,  thickest,  and  strongest  "latch- 
string"  ever  hung  out  in  any  community  was  the  "freedom 
of  the  city."  Never  once  was  it  broken:  the  "tether"  was 
too  strong,  and  the  "boys"  left  it — it  ?s  there  yet. 

By  special  appointment  I  met  comrades  to  give  them 
the  secret  work  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  I  care 
fully  avoided  parading  the  Order,  for  it  was  a  convention  of 
soldiers  irrespective  of  organizations.  If  there  were  others 
there  claiming  membership  in  this  organization  we  did  not 
know  it.  It  was,  however,  no  secret  that  we  claimed  to  rep 
resent  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  from  the  fact 
,that  Indiana  'headquarters  was  sought  by  so  many  represent 
ative  soldiers  from  other  States,  who  asked  to  receive  the 
"work,"  we  assumed  that  our  badge  had  drawn  many,  as  it 
was  the  only  badge  representing  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  in  that  Convention. 

To  the  following  named  comrades  I  gave  the  obligation, 
the  secret  work,  and  supplied  each  with  Constitutions,  Kit- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        35 

uals,  Charters,  and  other  supplies  necessary  to  organize  a 
Department : 

General  J.  T.  Hartranft,  Pennsylvania,  and  others. 

General  J.  Shaw,  Jr.,  Bhode  Island. 

General  E.  W.  Whittaker,  Connecticut. 

General  Charles  Devens,  Major  A.  S.  Cushman,  and 
Chaplain  A.  H.  Flint,  Massachusetts. 

General  J.  B.  McKeon,  New  York,  and  others. 

General  Ed.  Jardine,  New  Jersey,  and  others. 

General  A.  W.  Dennison,  Maryland,  and  others. 

General  Sparhawk,  Maryland,  and  others. 

Colonel  T.  B.  Fairleigh,  Kentucky. 

General  Thomas  L.  Young,  Ohio. 

General  Charles  Walcott,  Ohio. 

Colonel  John  A.  Martin,  'Major  T.  P.  Anderson,  Kansas. 

Colonel  Timothy  Lubey,  Washington,  D.  C. 

These  I  remember  more  especially  because  they  were 
the  leading  representatives  of  others  with  them.  1  knew 
most  of  them,  and  am  further  aided  in  my  memory  by  my 
personal  record  made  at  the  time  and  later  correspondence. 
With  these  comrades  the  Department  of  Indiana  co-operated 
in  many  ways  during  the  years  1866,  1867,  1868,  and  1869. 
In  some  cases,  from  three  to  six  or  more  comrades  received 
the  obligation  together,  that  they  might  better  introduce  the 
"work"  in  establishing  Posts  and  forming  Departments. 
This  was  especially  the  case  with  comrades  from  Pennsyl 
vania,  New  York,  and  Massachusetts. 

It  is  hardly  worth  while  to  say  more  than  to  merely  men 
tion  the  fact,  that  among  the  many  errors  of  statement  in 


36        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic.  1 

the  "History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the '.Republic,"  by  Kob- 
ert  B.  Beath,  in  the  statement  that  "in  October,  1866,  De 
partments  had  been  formed  in  ....  Indiana,"  an 
injustice  is  done  our  Department.  He  had  the  records  be 
fore  him — the  Department  records,  that  General  Foster's 
first  Department  Order  was  issued  August  20,  1866.  And 
further,  as  Comrade  Beath  knew  at  the  time,  his  own  Post 
in  Philadelphia  was  organized  on  and  by  the  strength  of  the 
charter  I  gave  him  at  Pittsburg  in  September,  1866,  signed 
by  General  Foster  as  Department  Commander  of  Indiana, 
and  by  myself  as  Adjutant-General  Department  of  Indiana; 
and  said  charter  was  so  granted  by  General  Foster,  whose 
name  was  afterwards  erased,  and  Hurlbut's  and  Stephen- 
son's  names  inserted  for  Foster's  and  my  own.  At  least  that 
is  what  he  admitted  to  me  in  the  Dennison  Hotel,  at  Indian 
apolis  in  the  presence  of  Comrade  James  R.  Carnahan.  And 
further,  he  certainly  did  know  that  there  was  no  Commander- 
in-chief  until  such  was  chosen  at  the  first  National  Conven 
tion  that  convened  at  Indianapolis,  November  20th,  1866. 

Touching  this  question,  a  memorial  was  presented  some 
years  ago  by  the  writer  hereof,  and  his  comrades,  Colonel 
Charles  A.  Zollinger  and  Captain  Charles  W.  Brouse,  to 
Colonel  I.  N.  Walker,  then  Department  Commander  of  Indi 
ana,  upon  the  right  of  Indiana  to  seniority  in  the  Order. 
The  original  draft  of  that  memorial  is  in  my  possession,  and 
I  take  from  it  the  following: 

"If  we  couldn't  be  considered  an  organized  Department 
until  after  the  National  Encampment,  certainly  Illinois, 
Wisconsin,  and  Iowa  could  not;  yet  they  stand  credited  with 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        37 

such  privilege  and  priority.  What  constitutes  an  organiza 
tion  in  the  Grand  Army?  what  constitutes  a  Department? 
who  are  entitled  to  participate  in  such  organization?  and 
how  can  a  Department  be  organized?  are  questions  that  must 
V>  answered  with  reference  to  the  organic  law — the.  Consti 
tution,  not  the  "Blue  Book,"  a;s  written  by  Beath.  For  the 
law  governing  the  Order  in  lcS(>6  we1  turn  to  the  Constitu 
tion  bf  that  date.  If  there  was  an  organization  of  this  Order 
on  July  12th,  1866,  it  would  be  under  and  in  pursuance  of 
a  constitution  adopted  for  and  by  such  organization.  In 
stead,  the  only  authority  which  Beath's  "History" — Blue 
Book — gives  for  claiming  that  Illinois  was  so  organized  is 
the  following : 

"A  call  for  that  Convention,  dated  June  22d,  186(1, 
which  reads,  'A  Convention  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  lie- 
public  and  of  Illinois  Soldiers  and  Sailors  will  be  held  at 
Springfield,  July  12th,  18(56.'  Signed,  John  M.  Palmer. 
B.  F.  Stephenson,  and  others." 

The  following  is  the  official  telegraphic  report  of  that 
Convention : 

"The  State  Convention  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  He- 
public  was  in  session  to-day.  Almost  overy  county  in  the 
'State  was  represented,  and  five  hundred  delegates  were  in 
attendance.  A  committee  on  resolutions,  permanent  organ 
ization,  and  other  matters  of  less  importance  was  appointed. 
A  permanent  organization  was  effected  by  the  appointment 
of  Walter  B.  Scates,  of  Chicago,  President;  General  B.  M. 
Prcntiss  and  General  Tree,  Vice-Presidents;  Major  llobert 
M.  Wood,  Secretary;  and  Captain  Thomas  M.  Thompson 
and  Privatei  F.  A.  Hall,  Assistant  Secretaries." 


38        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

These  arc  not  Grand  Army  titles  nor  officers.  This  is 
the  Convention  credited  in  the  Blue  Book  with  being  a 
Department  Convention,  held  at  Springfield,  111.,  July  12th, 

I860.  "Comrade  John  M.  Palmer whom 

]1  style,"  says  Beath,  "Department  Commander,  to  meet  the 
subsequent  change  of  title,  was  elected  Grand  Commander/7 
It  will  be  noticed  that  if  they  had  a  Constitution  there  was 
no  need  of  "styling"  him  anything  else  than  in  the  -rank 
that  Constitution  determined.  But  Mr.  Beath  makes  it  con 
venient  to  dedicate  his  tree  before  it  is  planted.  No  mem 
ber  of  this  Order  will  recognize  that  Convention  as  a  Depart 
ment  Encampment. 

No  reference  is  made  to  any  Post  organization  in  the 
"call"  signed  by  a  number  of  soldiers.  Grand  Army  En 
campments  do  not  assemble  on  the  "call"  of  soldiers.  This 
was  not  at  that  time  the  method  of  assembling  members  of 
the  Grand  Army,  in  Department  Encampments,  according 
'to  our  form  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  in  1806.  Grand  Army  Encampments  are  not 
called  "Conventions,"  nor  were  they  so  designated  at  that 
time.  Grand  Arm}7  Encampments  do  not  appoint  Presi 
dents  to  preside,  and  Vice-Presidents  and  Secretaries  and  a 
Committee  on  Permanent  Organization,  as  did  the  Conven 
tion  of  July  12th,  1806.  No  one  will  deny  that  it  was  a 
convention  of  soldiers,  and  as  such  its  machinery  was  proper, 
but  not  as  a  Grand  Army  body.  Nearly  the  same  status  ex 
isted  at  the  first  National  Encampment.  But  there  the  body 
•met  under  a  recognized  authority,  with  only  certain  desig 
nated  persons  qualified  to  act — Grand  Army  men;  their 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic.        39 

right  had  to  be  determined  by  a  Committee  on  Credentials. 
I  f  this  body  at  Springfield  was  a  Grand  Army  Encampment, 
it  had  a  Constitution  to  govern  it,  and  a  Ritual  to  guide  it. 
'This  the  National  Encampment  had;  and  iC  that  assembly 
at  Springfield,  call  it  what  you  may,  did  not  meet  and  delib 
erate  in  conformity  to  the  letter  an/d  spirit  of  that  Constitu 
tion  and  Ritual,  it  has  no  right  to  the  claim  made  for  it. 

But  that  Convention  was  in  fact  what  the  "call"  contem 
plated  and  intended  it  should  be,  a  convention  of  Illinois 
Soldiers  and  Sailors,  regardless  of  any  affiliation  with  anv 
organization.  "As  many,"  says  the  call,  "of  our  soldiers 
have  not  had  the  opportunity  to  join  our  army,  they  will 
be  mustered  in  on  the  occasion."  On  what  occasion?  Of  a 
mass  convention. 

"All  those,"  continues  the  call,  "who  wish  to  establish 
and  maintain  the  rights  of  the  volunteer  soldiery  of  the  late 
Avar  morally,  socially,  and  politically  are  requested  to  meet 
with  us."  If  there  was  a  constitution  then  in  force,  why 
was  it  not  obeyed?  It  names  the  officers;  among  others, 
"Department  Commander,"  not  "Commanding  Department,'1 
a9  Stephenson  and  others  with  him  signed  themselves,  up  to 
'the  time  of  the  National  Encampment.  (See  Art.  III.,  Sec. 
8,  Cons.  18GG,  Downey  &  B rouse,  printers,  Indianapolis.) 
JIow  a  mass  convention  could  bestow  such  a  title,  that  could 
only  be  given  and  received  by  those  obligated  and  author 
ized  to  act  in  the  secret  work,  may  be,  probably,  a  matter 
of  indifference  in  the  accomplishment  of  a  certain  end. 
Such  an  assembly  could  not  properly  be  dignified  with  the 
title  of  a  "Provisional"  encampment.  The  Department  of 


40        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Indiana,  organized  on  the  Kitual  and  Constitution  in  July, 
but  supposedly  when  the  first  General  Order  was  issued, 
August  2()th,  18(50,  had  no  knowledge  even  of  such  "Con 
vention."  There  never  was  any  "Commander-in-chief"  in 
the  Order,  until  General  Hurlbut  was  elected  at  Indianap 
olis  in  Xovember,  .1800.  To  be  sure,  Stephenson  assumed 
'the  title,  but  we  all  know  that  this  act  was  simply  a  gratifi 
cation  of  his  own  vanity — and  it  was  certainly  pardonable 
in  him. 

Some  years  ago  there  was  a  very  elaborate  Constitution, 
gotten  up  in  Indiana  by  a  few  comrades,  a  costly  badge  Avas 
designed  and  made,  other  devices,  signs,  and  symbols  pre 
pared,  officers  were  chosen,  all -the  necessary  machinery  for 
a  great  Order  prepared,  and — that  was  all,  except  the  name; 
it  died  there. 

So  the  mere  fact  of  saying  so,  or  calling  yourself  a 
"Department,"  issuing  a  "General  Order,"  as  of  a  Depart 
ment,  or  as  "Commander-in-chief,"  when  in  fact  there  is  no 
feuch  organization  behind  you,  or  beneath  you,  or  over  you 
to  back  up  or  sustain  your  claim  and  assumption,  doesn't 
make  a  "Department"  or  "Commander-in-chief."  When 
'the  tangible,  subsisting,  living  thing  is  before  you,  set  in 
motion  and  moved  by  your  influence  and  orders,  and  your 
muster  rolls  run  into  majestic  thousands,  as  did  those  of 
the  Department  of  Indiana  Ixjfore  General  Foster  issued  his 
first  order,  then  you  can  safely  and  honorably  say,  This 
organization  is  what  it  claims  to  be;  this  is,  in  fact,  an 
organization.  "Styling"  a  convention  such  does  not  make 
it  one. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        41 

To  Indianians  there  is  but  one  conclusion  upon  the  evi 
dence  before  us,  and  in  the  light  of  history.,  and  the  knowl 
edge  it  was  given  us  to  possess,  and.  from  the  relation  it  was 
our  privilege  to  hold  in  those  years  to  the  chief  actors  in  our 
organization,  it  is  a  truth  that  cannot  be  gainsaid,  that  what 
is  to-day  known  as  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  though 
truly  conceived  in  Illinois,  was  brought  to  life  by  Governor 
Oliver  P.  Morton,  and.  given  wings  and  started  on  its  flight 
to  glory  the  moment  General  R.  S.  Foster  left  the  presence 
of  Major  B.  F.  Stephenson,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  July, 
1800,  with  the  draft  of  the  first  Constitution  and  Ritual  in 
his  possession.'" 

The  facts  are  the  first,  printed  copy  oi'  the  Constitution 
perfected  for  the  government  of  the  Order,  that  we  saw,  \vas 
printed  by  the  Department  of  Indiana  the  latter  nart  of 
July,  1800 — this  from  copy  given  us  by  Major  Stephenson. 
'Whatever  had  been  done  prior  to  this  time  was  necessarily 
without  organization,  or  what  might  be  called  Ritual  work, 
and  this  was  crudely  delivered  and  lacked  in  cohesion,  with 
out  any  method  or  form  of  government  essential  to  a  prop 
erly  organized  Post. 

More  is  claimed  for  Major  Stephenson  than  he  ever 
claimed,  or  would  claim  for  himself.  lie  never  regarded 
his  oral  organizations  effective.  In  his  great  desire  to  estab 
lish  the  Orddr  he  sought  friends  for  aid.  In  the  late  win 
ter  of  1800 — about  February,  he  gave  the  obligation  of  the 
Uitnal  to  Colonel  A.  J.  llawhe,  in  the  Democratic  county  of 
Floyd,  Indiana.  llawhe  and  Stephenson  had  belonged  to 
the  same  brigade,  and  were  warm  personal  friends.  Hawhe*s 

3- 


42        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tJte  Republic. 

effort,  however,  in  organizing  a  Post  met  with  strong  Dem 
ocratic  opposition,  led  by  Colonel  Cyrus  L.  Dunham,  50th 
Ind.  Vols.  Hawhe  saw  that  such  contentions  and  opposi 
tion  would  divide  the  soldiers  in  sentiment,  Dunham  suc 
ceeded,  and  Hawhe  relinquished  all  i'urtlur  effort  with  his 
paper  organization.  He  had  nothing  to  work  with. 

We  first  heard  of  Hawhe's  effort  and  failure  late;  in  July, 
or  about  the  first  of  August.  He  had  been  designated  as 
"Commander  of  the  District."  This  was  in  conformity  with 
the  written  Constitution  as  it  was  afterwards  written,  show 
ing  that  such  plan  was  in  Stephenson's  mind  from  its  incep 
tion.  In  our  interviews  with  Stephenson,  Webber,  and 
Mather  at  Springfield,  Hawhe's  name  was  never  mentioned. 
Evidently  Stephenson  didn't  want  us  to  know  that  he  had 
tried  to  introduce  his  Ritual  in  that  Democratic  stronghold, 
This  fact,  however,  may  have  been  one  of  the  moving  causes 
to  his  complaint,  that  "the  boys  wouldn't  take  hold  of  it." 

When  Hawhe  notified  us  of  what  he  had  tried  to  cTo, 
we  sent  him  Rituals,  Regulations,  and  blank  Charters,  and 
told  him  to  go  ahead.  But  by  this  time  he  had  given  up 
all  hope  of  success,  and  early  in  August  the]  Post  succumbed. 
At  most  the  few  members  had  held  together  on  the  obliga 
tion  of  the  Ritual  without  a  Constitution  to  govern  them. 

Hawhe  claimed  he  had  no  time  to  give  to  the  Order;  at 
the  same  time  he  didn't  have  a  very  hopeful  opinion  of  its 
success.  He  spoke  of  the  Democratic  opposition,  and  thought 
this  an  insurmountable  barrier  to  success — that,  being  in 
part  political,  no  Democratic  soldiers  would  come  into  the 
organization. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        43 

At  the  time  of  our  interview  with  Stephenson,  Webber, 
and  Mather  at  Springfield,  we  were  given  to  understand  that 
prior  to  that  time  it  was  an  experiment  and  a  failure ;  and 
probably  had  we  known  of  Hawhefs  failure,  we  might  not 
have  consented  to  undertake  the  organization,  as  we  then 
did.  We  supposed  thd  "failure"  was  among  his  own-  boys  in 
Illinois,  and  Webber  led  us  so  to  believe. 

Major  Stephenson's  first  official  utterance  was  as  Adju 
tant-General,  in  his  address  convening  the  2d  National  En 
campment  at  Philadelphia,  January  15,  1868.  In  this  he 
says :  "In  presenting  this,  the  first  official  report  of  the  rise 
and  progress  of  the  glorious  Order,"  etc. :  .  .  .  "Early 
in  the  spring  of  18(5(5,  a  few  patriots,  deeply  feeling  the  im 
portance  of  organizing  a  grand  association  of  the  gallant 
Union  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  late  terrible  rebellion, 
.  formed  their  plans,  and,  publicly  calling  on  all  in 
terested,  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  18(5(5,  met  in  convention  in 
the  Representative  Hall  in  the  State  Capitol  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  and  then  and  tit  ere  formed  a  nucleus  of  the  grand 
organization  here  present,  and  wliicli  from  that  liumble  ori 
gin  now  extends  an  influence  throughout  every  Stale  and 
'Territory  in  our  country.  .  .  .  Your  present  Adjutant- 
General  was  honored  by  the  appointment  as  Provisional 
Commander-in-chief.  With  but  crude  materials  at  his  com 
mand  he  succeeded  in  a  few  months  in  establishing  Provis 
ional  Departments."  The  latter  part  of  this  communication 
was  sharply  criticised  at  the  time,  for  fourteen  of  the  States 
represented  in  that  Encampment  had  boon  organized  by  the 
Department  officers  of  Indiana,  and,  as  these  pages  show, 


44        History  of  the  Grand  Army,  of  the 

were  in  the  first  National  Encampment  at  Indianapolis. 
McKean,  of  New  York,  and  Wagner,  of  Pennsylvania,,  and 
others  were  especially  indignant,  saying  to  me:  "Say  noth 
ing,  Allison;  let  the  old  man  have  his  way."  What  we  all 
wanted  was  harmony,  peace,  and  success. 

But  Stephenson  never  was  appointed  "Provisional  Com 
mander-in-chief";  nor  was  there  ever  a  Grand  Army  organ 
ization,  up  to  thirt  1st  Xational  Encampment  held  at  Indi 
anapolis,  authorized  to  make  such  office. 

The  fact  was,  in  which  all  concurred,  he  acted  as  such 
on  no  other  authority  than  as  the  writer  of  the  Ritual — in 
fact,  the  founder  of  the  Order.  This  coiiventfon  of  July  12, 
18G6,  as  shown  elsewhere  in  these  pages,  was  not  a  Grand 
Army  gathering.  It  was  not  called  as  such.  There  was  then 
a  Constitution,  providing  for  Grand  Army  officers,  but  this 
convention  was  officered  like  all  other  like  bodies,  by  a  Pres 
ident,  Secretary,  etc.  As  he  says,  however,  "this  convention 
there  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  grand  organization."  So 
out  of  his  own  mouth  it  is  here  written,  that  "then  and  there 
this  grand  organization  took  form  as  a  nucleus,  and  from 
(hat  humble  origin  it  became  a  great  power/'  but  its  growth 
started  in  Indiana. 

So  there  could  not  have  been  an  organization  prior  to 
that  time;  and  the  interview  by  General  Foster  and  myself 
with  Stephenson,  Webber,  and  Mather,  both  of  whom  were 
designated  as  staff  officers  to  General  Palmer,  coming  almost 
immediately  after  this  12th  of  July  convention,  establishes 
ihe  fact  that  the  "niK'len*'  had  not  yet  formed,  because 
"the  bovs  wouldn't  take  hold  of  it." 


History  of  the-  (trand  Army  of  Mm  Republic.        4"> 

The  roster  of  the  Department  of  Illinois,  1904,  shows 
"B.  F.  Stephenson,  Past  Department  Commander,  1866," 
when  in  fact  he  was  never  such — even  acting,  for  there  was 
no  Department  organized,  as  it  was  claimed  on  July  12, 
1866,  and  then  General  Palmer  was  elected  President  of  the 
convention — not  Department  Commander.  Nor  is  he  cred 
ited  as  such  in  this  roster.  Prom  Stephenson  there  is  a  gap 
of  seven  years  to  a  Department  Commander,  Guy  T.  Gould, 
in  1873. 

My  impression  had  always  been,  up  to  tho  assembling  at 
our  1st  National  Encampment,  that  there  were  nominal 
Department  Commanders  in  this  time,  though  their  organ 
ization  was  not  considered  effective — at  least  strong  enough 
for  an  active  Department.  These  facts  are  mentioned  to  say 
that  the  old  "Xcuus"  Post  at  Pock  ford— the  last  of  all,  of 
which  Guy  T.  Gould  was  a  member,  survived  to  become  the 
"nucleus"  upon  which  the  Department  was  organized,  with 
their  Comrade  Gould  for  Department  Commander — in  1873. 

In  all  this  time  from  July,  18(>(>  to  1871,  inclusive,  the 
Department  of  Indiana  had  never  wavered,  but  held  her 
organization,  as  these  pages  show. 

I  remember  very  distinctly  that,  despite  the  printed  Gen 
eral  Order,  Xo.  13,  Springfield,  111.,  on  page  68  of  the  afore 
said  "History,"  signed  by  Stephenson  as  "Commander-in- 
chief,"  he,  calling  the  first  Xational  Encampment  a  "Con 
vention,"  declined  to  assume  sacli  authority  and  title.  We 
simply  recognized  the  order  as  coming  from  headquarters. 
Grand  Army  of  the  Kepublic,  Springfield.  The  "Conven 
tion,"  so  termed  by  Stephenson,  was  the  only  kind  of  an 


46        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic. 

assembly  he  had  as  yet  anything  to  do  with  in  the  organiza 
tion.  However,  this  "Convention"  was  assembled  more  on 
personal  letters  and  solicitation,  from  not  only  our  Depart 
ment,  but  from  others,  the  latter  insisting  it  be  held  at 
Indianapolis.  I  remember  that  it  was  urged  upon  us  not 
only  by  Stephen  son,  but  by  General  Thomas  L.  Young, 
Department  Commander  of  OMo;  General  McKeon,  Depart 
ment  Commander  of  New  York ;  General  Whittaker,  of  Con 
necticut;  Dennison,  of  Maryland — in  fact,  by  all  those  to 
whom  T  had  given  the  secret  work  at  Pittsburg.  And  the 
oh  id'  reason  assigned  was  that  we  had  started  the  Order/' 

In  this  connection,  noting  the  fact  that  Indiana  has  been 
"turned  down"  on  her  claim  for  seniority,  it  is  refreshing  to 
"read  the  following  from  the  aforesaid  "History": 

"The  Department  of  .Indiana  supplied  Major  Stephen- 
son  with  blank  Charters,  Rituals,  and  Regulations 

"'The  Department  of  Indiana  was  the  only  Department 
represented  distinctly  as  such,  in  the  Pittsburg  Convention, 
having  representatives  from  138  Posts  in  response  to  a  cir 
cular  from  Department  Headquarters."  This  circular  ap 
pears  in  preceding  pages. 

"Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  Assistant  Adjutant-General  of  the 
Department  of  Indiana,  was  exceedingly  active  during  this 
Convention  in  interviewing  leading  representatives  relative 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  urging  the  organization 
of  Posts;  and  for  this  purpose  he  obligated  quite  a  number 
from  the  East,  instructed  them  in  the  Svork/  and  gave  them 
topics  of  thei  rules  and  of  the  Ritual."  (Heath's  "History," 
page  27.) 


History  of  tlir  Grand  Army  of  tJte  Republic.        47 

But,  touching  this  first  National  Encampment,  Comrade 
•Heath  alludes  to  Stephenson's  disappointment  in  not  being 
selected  for  "Commander-in-chief."  Whatever  this  disap 
pointment  may  have  been,  if  any,  in  Major  Step'henson  not 
being  chosen  at  first  a  Department  Commander — which  even 
that  "convention  of  soldiers  and  sailors"  and  Grand  Army 
men  did  not  assume  to  do,  at  Springfield,  on  July  12th, 
18(](> — he  certainly  could  not  feel  that  the  National  Encamp 
ment  had  slighted  or  overlooked  him,  or  that  his  work  was 
reflected  upon.  He  called  the  Encampment  to  order.  He 
could  have  no  grievance,  then,  and  so  far  as  any  disappoint 
ment  there,  which  "'ho  felt  until  his  death,"  there  are  com 
rades  living  to-day  who  know,  as  I  know,  that  he  was  asked 
to  take  the  position  of  "Commander-in-chief,,"  hut  declined, 
saying  that  he  did  not  feel  competent  to  fill  the  position, 
hut  would  take  a  subordinate  position,  which  he  did — that 
of  Adjutant-General.  My  impression  was  then,  and  has 
ever  heen,  that  he  was  a  satisfied  man  in  what  lie  had  given 
the  soldiers.  He  advocated  the  election  of  General  Hurl- 
hut,  oui'  first  Commanding  OtTieor. 

His  administration  of  the  Adjutant-General's  office,  as 
Comrade  Beath  finds  and  asserts,  proves  that  he  knew  him 
self  better  than  wo  knew  him.  The  prime  motive  of  his  life, 
then,  was  to  see  the  Order  sueceod,  hut  he  did  not  know  how 
to  forward  its  success.  His  motives  were  too  pure  and  sin 
cere  to  ccnsuiv.  He  took  every  advantage  of  what  seemed 
to  offer  an  aid  to  its  promotion.  His  one  great  purpose  was 
to  establish  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  did  not 
look  ahead  for  consequences,  but  regarded  only  the  possibil- 


48        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

ities  of  acquirement,  which  instead  of  giving  him  strength 
to  maintain  his  position,  brought  to  him  a  sense  of  humilia 
tion,  which  never  was  shared  by  his  comrades;  rather  did 
they  feel  and  express  a  sympathy  for  a  zeal  he  could  not  iinv- 
part  to  others. 

He  was  sometimes  too  hasty,  not  from  fear,  but  anxiety 
to  accomplish  a  great  purpose.  For  instance,  the  anomalous 
position  in  which  we  find  Major  Stephenson  on  April  6. 
1800 — -according  to  the  record  of  said  "History/'  when  he 
exercises  Department  rights  and  privileges  before  there  was 
a  legally  constituted  Department,  unless  the  proceedings  of 
the  "Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Convention"  are  to  be1  considered 
such,  which  .Heath  declarer  them  to  be — leads  to  the  con 
clusion  that  the  circular  letter  of  April  18th,  1.80(>,  to  Messrs. 
Kauan  and  ({mining,  to  draft  constitution  and  by-laws,  was 
simply  preliminary  to  an  organization,  and  that  instead  of 
being  a  "Department  Commander'  on  April  6th,  he  was  in 
fact  without  a  command.  If  there  had  been  a  constitution 
in  force  then,  such  as  we  received  from  him  in  July,  and 
printed,  he  would  certainly  have  observed  his  proper  title, 
and  instead  of  signing  a  "Charter"  as  "Commanding  De 
partment,"  he  would  have  observed  the  language  of  his  own 
•constitution,  and  written  himself  bv  the  proper  designated 
title,  "Department  Commander/' 

The  question  naturally  suggests  itself,  If  said  Charter 
was  issued  April  Oth,  1800,  "in  accordance  with  the  Consti 
tution  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  "Republic,"  how  does  it  hap 
pen  that  on  April  18th,  1800,  a  committee  is  appointed  by 
him  to  "draft  constitution  and  by-laws?"  for  in,  through, 
and  by  such  only  could  a  Post  be  established. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        49 

"Up  to  this  date/7  says  Comrade  Beath,  in  his  afore 
mentioned  lii story,  "no  constitution  had  been  drafted,  though 
the  general  plans  had  i)een  discussed."  Then  how  could  he 
take  the  title  "Commander"?  And  even  before  this  Ste- 
phenson  issues  General  Order,  Xo.  1,  creating  a  Department 
staff,  signing  himself  "Commanding  Department/7  Lest  I 
appear  hypercritical,  1  quote  the  language  of  the  first  Con 
stitution  of  1860.  Art.  JTI.,  Sec.  3:  "The  officers  of  each 
Department  shall  he,  one  Department  Commander,  one 
Adjutant-General,  one  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  .  .  .'' 

But  Major  Stcphenson  was  an  enthusiast.  Ho  was  a 
grand  man.  Tie  had  a  right  io  entitle  himself  as  lie  pleased. 
The  only  contention  I  make  is,  that  with  all  his  titles  he 
had  no  command  at  the  time  he  assumed  them,  by  reason  of 
which  wrong  has  been  done  other  IV.part ments  by  the  sacri 
fice  of  the  truth  of  history. 

It  was  no  humiliation  in  him  to  ask  for  Kituals  and  Con 
stitutions,  and  they  were  given  him  even  without  the  ask 
ing.  Nor  did  we  think  it  strange,  or  ask  wherefore.  We 
knew  how  hard  he  had  worked  to  build  up  the?  Order  in  his 
own  State.  We  did  not  forget  from  whom  we  obtained  the 
"'work,*'  and  we  did  everything  in  our  power  to  strengthen 
his  hands.  Under  these1  conditions  we  were1  recognized  and 
our  wishes  were  respected  in  many  things,  and  when  Major 
Stephenson  wrote  us.  and  insisted,  because  of  what  we  had 
done,  that  we  ought  of  right  to  have  the  First  National 
Encampment,  we  concurred,  thanking  him,  and  prepared 
for  it. 


50        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

.'Rut  there  is  another  error  in  this  Beatles  "History"  I 
wish  to  correct:  A  fae-simile  of  the  original  Constitution 
as  received  and  printed  by  the  Department  of  Indiana  is 
given  entire  to  these  pages.  It  is  the  first  Constitution,  as 
received  from  the  hands  of  Major  Stephenson.  In  it,  as  will 
he  seen,  the  Declaration  of  Principles  contains  the  word 
"sailors,"  so  that  the  Indianapolis  Convention  did  not  add 
this  word  to  said  "Declaration."  Xor  as  claimed  in  the 
aforesaid  history,  docs  this  original  have  the  "new  section 
from  the  Constitution  of  the  Loyal  Legion"  added  by  that 
convention,  thus  confirming  the  authentic  character  of  this 
— the  first  and  original  Constitution,  which  embraced  the 
\\onl  "sailors"  in  its  first  declaration  of  principles. 

As  to  the  Stephenson  Ritual,  which  is  also  added  to 
these  pages,  whatever  the  Committee  did  at  the  Indianap 
olis  Convention  in  no  wise  changed  its  structure,  as  orig 
inally  promulgated  by  Major  Stephen son.  This  copy  was 
printed  by  the  Department  of  Indiana,  as  was  the  Constitu 
tion  in  186f>,  as  their  title  pages  show. 

The  first  serious  attack  made  on  this  Ritual  was  at  Phil 
adelphia,  in  1868,  which  resulted  in  shortening  the  "charge" 
of  the  Post  Commander.  This  old  Ritual  was  overthrown, 
annulled,  abrogated  by  the  "Three  Degree"  Ritual  adopted 
at  Cincinnati  in  May,  18i>0,  of  which  mention  is  made  here 
after.  The  many  changes  mr.de  by  the  Philadelphia  En 
campment  in  January,  18G8/  by  the  revision  of  the  Ritual 
and  Constitution  made  it  necessary  to  compile  for  the  bet 
ter  administration  of  the  Department,  encampment  regula 
tions,  by-laws,  and  rules  of  order,  which  method  we  deemed 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  Hi e  Republic.        51 

the  best,  to  promulgate  in  a  simple  form  regulation  require 
ments.  My  impression  now  is,  it  was  pronounced  "contra 
band"  by  Xational  JTeadqaurters. 

These  matter?  are  mentioned,  not  in  the  spirit  of  con 
tention,  but  that  the  facts  of  history  may  be  shown  as  they 
were  regarded  and  existed  at  that  time.  \Ve  were  to  a 

O 

degree  unmindful  of  what  others  were  doing,  because  wo 
were  too  busy  with  our  own  State  affairs.  The  subject  of 
seniority  never  concerned  us  during  these  first  years  of  the 
Order,  when  we  supposed  no  such  question  could  be  raised, 
for  in  those  months  we  never  heard  of  any  State  or  Post 
organization;  we  had  no  correspondence  with  such  previous 
to  General  Foster's  first  "order";  we  had  no  knowledge  of 
any  other  Grand  Army  organization,  or  representation  in 
Pittsburg;  we  saw  no  Grand  Army  men  from  other  States, 
nor  badges  to  distinguish  such  except  our  own;  we  made  no 
effort  to  outdo  anybody,  but  we  did  have  it  said  to  us  at 
Fittsburg  and  at  our  First  National  Encampment,  "Indi 
ana  takes  the  lead  of  all  other  States  in  point  of  organization 
of  her  delegates." 

It  may  be  possible  that  Iowa  and  Wisconsin  had  received 
the  secret  work,  as  we  had  done,  but  they  certainly  had  not 
•pressed  their  organization  or  opportunities  as  we  bad  done, 
and  during  all  this  time,  and  almost  up  to  the  time  of  the 
Encampment  in  'November,  1SGO,  no  sign  had  been  made 
of  any  organization  in  these  States  or  elsewhere.  The  ros 
ter  of  delegates  in  that  Encampment  shows  this  fact. 

The  Order  had  now  become  so  strong  in  Indiana  that  it 
:became  necessary  to  lighten  the  burden  upon  Department 


52        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Headquarters,  and  to  this  end  General  Orders,  No.  5,  dated 
Nov.  1st,  1866,  was  issued,  placing  upon  a  selected  comrade 
in  each  county,  as  the  Constitution  required,  the  duty  of 
District  Commander,  to  whom  the  Posts  in  his  county  should 
report,  instead  of  directly  to  Department  Headquarters. 
This  "order"  may  be  of  interest  to  many,  if  not  of  any  spe 
cial  historical  value,  and  it  is  herewith  given  : 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

"Adjutant-Generars  Office-,' 
"Indianapolis,  Tml.,  Nrov.  1st,  1866. 
"'General   Orders,  No.  5. 

"I.     The  following  soldiers  arc  authorized  to  organize 
the  Districts  assigned  them: 

District  of  Allen:     Colonel  George  Humphrey. 

District  of  Bartholomew:     Colonel  A.  W.  Prather. 

District  of  Benton  :     Colonel  James  Parker. 

District  of  Blackford:     Major  George  W.  Cuberly. 

District  of  Boone:     Captain  Jesse  Custar. 

District  of  Carroll :     Colonel  John  G.  Clark. 

District  of  Cass:     Colonel  Thomas  II.  Bringhurst. 

District  of  Clay:    Major  Edward  Armstrong. 

District  of  Clinton:     Captain  J.  M.  Sims. 

District  of  Crawford:     Major  W.  T.  Jones. 

District  of  Dearborn:     Major  \Y.  F.  Howard. 

District  of  Decatur:     Colonel  J.  S.  Scobey. 

District  of  Deleware:     General  Thomas  J.  Brady. 

District  of  Dubois:    Major  E    W.  Wellman. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        5o 

District  of  Elkhart :    Major-General  Milo  S.  Hascal. 

District  of"  Fayette :     Major  Gilbert  Trusler. 

District  of  Fountain:    Captain  Isaac  W.  Hart. 

District  of  Franklin  :     Major  John  C.  Burton. 

District  of  Fulton:     Colonel  Kline  G.  Shryock. 

District  of  Gibson:     Colonel  James  T.  Einbry. 

District  of  Grant:     William  Lewis. 

District  of  Greene:     Colonel   F.  H.  C.  Cravens. 

District  of  Hamilton:     A.  M.  Conklin. 

District  of  Hancock:     Captain  Amos  C.   Beeson. 

J)istrict  of  Harrison:     General  Henry  Jordan. 

District   of   Hendrieks:     Colonel  W.  L.  Y^tal. 

District  of  Jl'onry:      Captaiji    I).   W.   Chambers. 

District  of  Howard:     Captain  Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick. 

District  of  Huntingdon:     Major  Henry  J>.  Sayler. 

District  of  Jackson:     Captain  M.  W.  Tanner. 

District  of  Jasper:     General  R.  H.  Milroy. 

District  of  Jay:     Cyrus  Stanley. 

District  of  Jefferson:     Colonel  T.  11.  Harris. 

District  of  Jennings:     Colonel  II.  Tripp. 

District  of  Johnson:     Colonel  John  R.  Fcsler. 

District  of  Knox:     Major  Clark  Willis. 

District  of  Kosciusco.:     General  Reuben  Williams. 

District  of  La  Grange:     Major  J.  W.  Leitch. 

Di  s  t  r  i  c t  o  f   La  k e  :     Ma j  o  r  \\  m .  I v  r  i  n  i.l  >  i  1 1 . 

District  of  Lawrence:      Lieutenant-Colonel    Henry     P- 

Davis. 

District  of   Madison:     Colonel  M.  S.  liobinson. 
District  of  Marion:    General  Fred  Knefier. 


54        History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

District  of  Miami:    Colonel  John  M.  Wilson. 
District  of  Monroe:     Major  James  B.  Mulky. 
District  of  Montgomery :     Captain  T.  W.  Fry. 
District  of  Morgan :    Captain  W.  J.  Manker. 
District  of  Noble:     Captain  M.  F.  Collier. 
District  of  Ohio :     Major  John  W.  Eabb. 
District  of  Owen:     Major  John  W.  Day. 
District  of  Parke:     Colonel  James  E.  Hallowell. 
District  of  Perry :     Major  M.  Brucker. 
District  of  Posey :     Major  Sylvanus  Milncr. 
District  of  Putnam :     Captain  Milton  A.  Osborne. 
District  of  Randolph :    General  Thomas  M.  Browne. 
District  of  Eipley:     Captain  W.  Hyatt. 
District  of  Eusli :     Colonel  W.  A,  Cullen. 
District  of  Shelby:     Samuel  F.  Mason. 
District  of  St.  Joseph:     Major  0.  S.  Witherill. 
District  of  Switzerland:    Major  Win.  Patton. 
District  of  Tippccanoe:     Cantain  John  A.  Stein. 
District  of  Tipton :     Captain  George  0.  Hardesty. 
District  of  Union :     General  Thomas  W.  Bennett. 
District  of  Vanderburg:    Major  Blythe  Hines. 
District  of  Vermillion:     A.  M.  Staats. 
District  of  Vigo:    Colonel  W.  E.  McLean. 
District  of  Wabash:     General  C.  S.  Parrish. 
District  of  Warren:     General  George  D.  Wagner. 
District  of  Washington :    Colonel  D.  W.  C.  Thomas. 
District  of  White:    Colonel  Alfred  Reed. 
District  of  Whitley:     Captain  Isaac  B.  Hymer. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       55 

"JI.  Post  Commanders  will  henceforth  receive  all  in 
structions  from  their  respective  District  Commanders. 

"Ill 

"By  order  of  the  Department  Commander, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"Adjutant-General  Department." 

At  this  time  it  was  apparent  that  the  growth  of  the 
Order  in  the  Eastern  Statds  would  soon  force  a  national 
Conclave,  and  to  all  letters,  suggesting  that  the  Department 
of  Indiana  take  the  initiative  in  calling  such  body  together, 
General  Foster  answered  that  we  always  recognized  in 
Major  Stephonson  the  "father'7  of  the  Order,  as  he  had 
given  us  the  "work/'  though  we  had  never  received  any 
orders  from  him  that  would  lead  us  to  report  to,  or  other 
wise  recognize  him  as  "Commander-in-chief."  He  sug 
gested  that  correspondence  he  had  with  Major  Stephenson, 
stating  also  that  we  wore  ready  to  act  in  conjunction  with 
other  Departments. 

We  accordingly  wrote  to  Stephenson,  suggesting  some 
action  on  the  line  of  these  letters,  and  saying  we  desired  to 
recognize  his  authority,  and  would  act  on  his  orders.  Major 
Stdphenson  was  pleased  by  this  deference  to  his  feelings  and 
wishes.  He  even  requested  to  be  recognized  as  the  proper 
one  to  call  such  Xatiional  Encampment;  at  the  same  time 
he  declared  the  Department  of  Indiana  was  the  proper  one 
to  have  it,  as  it  Avas  the  one  from  which  the  Order  first 
went  out  as  a  State  organization,  and  on  this  account  and 
because  of  our  great  strength  as  a  Department,  he  wanted 
ithe  first  National  Encampment  held  in  Indiana.  He  fur- 


56       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

•ther  stated  that  lie  had  succeeded  in  organizing  a  number 
of  Post*  in  liis  State,  some  of  which,  besides  their  State 
headquarters,  had  received  favors  from  our  Department. 

Following  this  correspondence,  Stephenson  issued,  as 
"Commander-in-chief,"  General  Order,  No.  13,  dated 
•'Springfield,  111.,  Oct.  31st,  1800,  for  "a  National  Conven 
tion  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  to  convene  at 
Indianapolis  at  10  o'clock  on  Tuesday,  the  20th  day  of 
November,  180G."  I  now  here  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  word  "convention''  does  not  appear  in  the  Constitution, 
under  which  presumably  this  General  Order,  No.  13,  was 
issued. 

Article  III.,  title,  "Organization,"  re:ids: 

"Section  1.  This  association  shall  he  composed  of  Na 
tional,  State,  County,  and  Precinct  organizations,  and  shall 
be  called  'The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.'  The  National 
organization  shall  be  known  as  the  "Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.' 

"Sec.  2.  The  officers  of  thei  Grand  Army  of  the  'Repub 
lic  shall  be  one  Commanding  Ollicer  .... 

"Sec.  3.  .  .  .  of  each  'Department — one  Depart 
ment  Commander. 

"Sec.  -1.      .      .      .      District  Commander,      .... 

"Sec.  T>.    ,  .  Post  Commander,     .... 

"Sec.  (i.  The-  duties  of  Commanding  Officers  shall  be 
essentially  those  of  a  presiding  officer;  and  in  his  absence 
the  members  present  in  camp  shall  select  a  member  to  per 
form  his  duties  pro 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlic  Republic.       57 

In  Article  V,  Sec.  4,  the  word  "encampment"  is  used 
for  the  first  time,  and  this  in  connection  with  District  meet 
ings.  Properly,  then,  in  calling  the  National  organization 
together,  instead  of  saving,  "a  National  Convention,"  had 
he  said,  "The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic'7  will  assemble, 
lie  would  have  Expressed  the  language  of  the  Constitution; 
•and  further,  as  will  he  seen  hereafter,  the  proceedings  would 
not  have  been  characterized  by  the.  selection  of  officers,  such 
as  govern  ordinary  deliberative  bodies,  as  it  was  the  duty 
of  the  senior  officer  of  any  organized  Department,  in  thu 
absence  of  national  officers,  provisional  or  otherwise,  to  call 
the  assembly  to  order  and  conduct  the  deliberations  to  a 
permanent  organization.  Howuver,  though  Article  III.. 
Sec.  3  of  our  Constitution  provided  who  and  what  these  olli 
cers  should  be  in  a  national  assembly,  the  right  as  such  was 
not  claimed,  and  the  Encampment  was  called  to  order  and 
organized  as  any  civic  body  would  be,  by  Major  Stephenson, 
(yet  all  these  months  we  had  been  working  under  titles  fixed 
by  a  constitution  and  crystallized  in  a  ritual. 

In  response,  therefore,  to  this  General  Ord'.T,  No.  13. 
and  following  its  language,  General  Foster  issued  Special 
Orders,  Xo.  31,  for  the  beneifit  and  guidance  of  the  District 
Commanders  of  the  Department: 

"I 

"11.  District  Commanders  assigned  by  General  Orders, 
No.  5,  dated  Headquarters  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
Department  of  Indiana,  Xov.  1st,  18(56,  will  hasten  the 
(Organization  of  their  respective  districts,  as  therein  speci 
fied,  and  enjoin,  as  far  as  possible  in  their  power  to  do;  a 


58       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

strict  and  immediate  conforinance  to  instructions  contained 
in  Special  Order,  No.  13,  accompanying. 

"III.  Delegates  to  the  National  Convention  will  receive 
their  credentials  through  their  respective  District  Com 
manders.  These  credentials  will  be  taken  up  at  these 
headquarters,  and  a  card  givdu  therefor,  in  order  that  a 
proper  record  may  he  had  of  delegations  of  this  Depart 
ment  in  said  convention,  and  for  the  better  and  more  con 
venient  preservation  of  said  credentials  by  Headquarters 
Department  of  Indiana. 

"IV.  District  Commanders  will  not  receive  delegates 
from  Posts  that  have  not  complied  with  Article  VII.,  Sec. 
1,  Constitution  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  but  only 
such  as  present  their  charter  are  entitled  to  representation 
as  specified  in  Article  III.,  Sec.  4,  Constitution  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  An  immediate  compliance  with 
the  requirements  of  Article  VII.,  Sec.  1,  is  earnestly  de 
sired,  and  commanders  are  requested  to  eta  force  its  provis 
ions,  if  possible,  throughout  their  district,  in  order  that  the 
( *  rand  Army  of  the  Republic  of  Indiana,  at  the  National 
Convention,  may  present  a  reflection  of  her  patriotism  so 
•valiantly  and  bravely  shown  and  maintained  in  solid  col 
umn,  in  ''skirmish  line/7  and  "on  picket"  in  the  field. 

"V.  It  is  desirable  that  not  only  delegates  should  be 
in  attendance  at  this  convention,  but  members  of  the  Grand 
Army  generally  are  requested  to  ' rally'  to  give  greeting  to 
our  comrades  who  come  in  our  midst  from  all  parts  of  the 


Ilistwy  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tkc  lie  public.       59 

'country  to  pledge  anc\v  tin.1  principles  that  triumphed  over 
treason. 

"By  order  of 

"M.AJOK-GKNEKAL    R.    S.    EOSTKK, 

ff Department   Commander. 

"0.  M.  WJLSON, 

"A djv tan t-General  Department/' 

Thong] i  much  has  been  said  derogatory  to  this  first 
organization,  and  against  the  rightful  claim  of  Indiana  to 
seniority.,  let  the1  sententious  answer,  what  kind  of  an  assem 
bly  would  tliis  have  been;  what  representation,  as  an  asso 
ciation  of  soldiers,  would  have  gathered  there;  who  would 
have  responded  to  Stephenson's  proclamation,  had  not  Indi 
ana  come  up  with  her  muster  rolls  of  thousands,  and  stood 
'sponsor  for  other  States  whose  delegates  then,  as  Grand 
^rmy  men,  represented  Departments,  and  to  whom  Indiana 
had  given  the  obligation  and  their  charter  at  Pittsburg  in 
September,  18(>(>  ? 

That  National  Encampment  performed  its  purpose  in 
every  way.  It  chose  a  "Commanding  Officer,"  and  gave 
the  Order  a  national  existence.  As  what?  History  answers, 
"Tho  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic."  Who  else  than  Grand 
Army  men  could  have  done  this?  And  who  were  these 
men  and  what  States  did  they  represent?  Every  State 
was  represented,  and  recognized  as  a  "Department."  This 
was  not  denied  then,  and  the  Committee  on  Credentials 
credited  with  approval  each  Stata  as  such  Department  as 
then  and  there  entitled  to  representation  in  that  Encamp 
ment  as  a  de  facto  and  de  jure  Department. 


60       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  structure  of  this  first  National  Encampment  may 
best  be  judged  by  the  following  facts  and  committees: 

Called  to  order  by  Major  Stephenson,  Colonel  John  M. 
Snvdcr,  of  Illinois,  was  appointed  Secretary;  and  General 
Julius  C.  Webber,  of  Illinois,  and  Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  of 
Indiana.,  Assistant  Secretaries. 

Indiana  was  entitled  to  and  presented  at  this  First 
Xational  Encampment  two  hundred  and  ten  (210)  dele 
gates,  who  were  seated  on  report  of  the  Committee  on  Cre 
dentials.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  these  delegates 
were  private  soldiers.  Illinois  had  thirty-four  (34)  dele 
gates  seated.  Of  these  10  were  generals,  1  colonel,  2  ma 
jors,  13  captains,  2  lieutenants,  2  surgeons,  4  untitled. 
Ohio  had  sixteen.  (16)  delegates,  all  seated.  Missouri  had 
nine  (9)  delegates,  all  seated.  Wisconsin  had  five  (5)  del 
egates:  1  general,  2  captains,  2  untitled,  all  seated.  Iowa 
had  four  (4)  delegates:  1  general,  2  captains,  1  lieutenant, 
all  seated.  New  York,  two  (2)  delegates,  seated.  District 
of  Columbia,  one  (1)  delegate,  seated.  Pennsylvania,  three 
(3)  delegates,  all  seated.  Kentucky,  three  (3)  delegates, 
seated.  Kansas,  five  (5)  delegates,  all  seated.  Arkansas, 
one  (1)  delegate,  seated. 

STATES  KElTiESENTED. 

Kentucky.  District  of  Columbia. 

Ohio.  Missouri. 

Indiana.  Iowa. 

Pennsylvania.  Illinois. 

AVisconsin.  Kansas. 

New  York.  Arkansas. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       61 

CO  MM  ITT  ME   OX   CREDENTIALS. 

General  Chetlain,  Illinois. 
W.   H,  McCoy,   Ohio. 
L.   E. 'Dudley,   District  Columbia. 
Colonel  Clayton  McMichael,  Pennsylvania. 
Colonel  John  S.  Cavender,  Missouri. 
Colonel  Thomas  B.   Fairleigh.,  Kentucky. 
Major  T.  J.  Anderson,  Kansas. 
General  Robert  S.  Catterson,  Arkansas. 
Captain  Gwynne,  Wisconsin. 
]\lajor  A.   P.   Alexander,  Iowa. 
Captain  M.  C.  Garbcr,  Indiana. 

(COMMITTEE    OX    PERMANENT   ORGANIZATION. 

Colonel  Burgc,  Kentucky. 
General  A.  Willich,  Indiana,  then  of  Ohio. 
Colonel  T.  P.  Ledergerber,  Missouri. 
Colonel  Clayton  McMichael.  Pennsylvania. 
Charles  G.  Mayers,  Wisconsin. 
General  S.  A.  Hurlbut,  Illinois. 
General  William  Van  clever,  Iowa. 
Colonel  John  G.  Kelly,  Pennsylvania, 
Colonel  Kidd,  New  York. 
Major  T.  J.  Anderson,  Kansas. 

COMMITTEE  OX  BUSINESS. 

Colonel  M*ilward,  Kentucky. 
Colonel  Feltus,  Pennsylvania. 
Colonel  E.  F.  Snyder,  Ohio. 
General  C.  Harding. 


02       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Colonel  John  G.  Kelly,  Pennsylvania. 

[Richard  Lester,  Wisconsin. 

General  Thomas  0.   Osborn,  Illinois. 

Captain  S.  D.  Price,  Iowa. 

General  Charles  Cruft,  Indiana. 

The  Committee  on  Business  was  made  the  Committee 
on  Constitution,  consisting  of  one  from  each  Department, 
to  he  appointed  by  the  presiding  officer. 

COMMITTEE   ON  RESOLUTIONS. 

John  McNeil,  Missouri. 

Charles  Case,  Indiana. 

H.  G.  Felt  us,  Pennsylvania. 

A.   P.  Alexander,   Iowa. 

J.  K.  Pro nd fit,  Wisconsin. 

A.  L.  Chetlain,  Illinois. 

T.  B.  Fairleigh,  Kentucky. 

T.  T.  Taylor,  Ohio. 

The   first   officers   chosen   by   this    Encampment   were: 

General  Stephen  A.  Hurlhut,  Commander-in-chief, 
Illinois. 

General  John  B.  McKeon,  S.V.,  Commander-in-chief, 
Xew  York. 

General  17.  S.  Foster,  J.V.,  Commander-in-chief, 
Indiana. 

Major  B.  V.  Stephenson,  Adjutant-General,  Illinois. 

General   August   Willieli,   Quartermaster-General,   Ohio. 

Major  I).  C.  McNeil,  Surgeon-General,  Missouri. 

General  W.  A.  Pile,  Chaplain,  Missouri. 


n-istory  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       63 

COUNCIL  OF  ADMINISTRATION. 

J.  K.  Proudfit,  Wisconsin. 

William  Vandever,  Iowa. 

Thomas  0.  Osborn,  Illinois. 

T.  C.  Fletcher,  Missouri. 

T.  T.  Taylor,  Ohio. 

H.  K.  Mil-ward^  Kentucky. 

F.  J.  Bramhall,  New  York. 

Nathan  Kimball,  Indiana. 

Clayton  McMichael,  Pennsylvania. 

It  is  now  proper  and  just  that  the  record  of  these  State- 
be  shown  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.,  since  they 
were  recognized  in  this  Encampment  as  Departments: 

Maryland  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September,  1866. 

Kentucky  had  the  Riiunl  and  ('barter  September,  1S(>(>. 

New  Jersey  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter,  September, 
1866. 

Ohio  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September,  1866. 

Pennsylvania  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September, 
1866. 

Rhode  Island  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September, 
1866;  not  in  Encampment. 

District  of  Columbia  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  Sep 
tember,  1866. 

Massachusetts  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September, 
1866 ;  not  in  Encampment. 

Connecticut  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September, 
1866;  not  in  Encampment. 

Kansas  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September,  l<S(!(i. 

New  York  had  the  Ritual  and  Charter  September,  1866. 


64       History  of  the   Grand;  Army  of  the  Republic. 

To  whom  given:  Dcunison,  of  Maryland;  Fairleigh,  of 
Kentucky;  Jardine,  of  New  Jersey;  Young,  of  Ohio;  Hart- 
ranft,  of  Pennsylvania;  Shaw,  of  Rhode  Island;  Lubey, 
of  District  of  Columbia;  Devens,  Quint,  and  Cushman,  of 
Massachusetts;  Whittaker,  of  Connecticut;  Martin  and 
Anderson,  of  Kansas;  McKoon,  of  New  York;  all  of  these 
Commanders  having  received  the  Ritual  and  charter  from 
Indiana. 

Yet  according  to  the  Roster  (  ?)  constructed  since,  and 
long  after  the  triumphs  of  Jnfdiana  had  enshrined  these 
States  in  thd  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  in  the  heart  of  the  Nation,  we  have : 

Maryland,  as  organizeo^Tanifetry  8th,  1808. 

Kentucky,  as  organized  January  17th,  188,3. 

New  Jersey,  as  organized  January  17th,  1868. 

New  York,  as  organized  April  3d,  1867. 

Ohio,  as  organized  January  3d,  18(57. 

Pennsylvania,  as  organized  January  16th,  1807. 

Rhode  Island,  as  organized  March  24th,  1868. 

Potomac,  as  organized  February  13th,  1869. 

Missouri,  as  organized  May  16th,  1867. 

Massachusetts,  as  organized  May  7th,  1867. 

Kansas,  as  organized  December  7th,  18(50. 

Indiana,  as  organized  November  22<1,  1866. 

Connecticut,  as  organized  April  llth,  1867. 

As  to  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  see  Logan's  General 
Orders.  If  the  above  "roster"  is  true,  then  the  record  of 
the  first  National  Encampment  is  an  ignis  fatuus.  If  anv 
one  State  in  that  Encampment  had  a  right  to  be  there,  it 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       65 

was  under  the  same  Constitution  under  which  .Indiana  had 
organized  not  only  her  own  soldiers,  hut  those  representing 
the  other  States  there  represented.  The  only  difference 
was,  she  had  made  the  most  of  her  opportunities  and  priv 
ileges  given  in  that  Constitution.  If,  therefore,  by  eating 
too  much  meat  she  offended  her  brother,  she  should  not  be 
stricken  because  they  didn't  eat  enough,  or  any.  It  is  not 
egotism  for  Indiana  to  point  to  this  Encampment  as  her 
product,  but  it  is  simple,  plain,  unalloyed,  unadulterated, 
sublimated  cheek,  impudence,  and  contempt  for  her  achieve 
ments  and  political  triumphs  for  any  man  to  deny  it.  If 
there  is  a  chapter  in  the  history  of  the  Order  of  which 
Indiana  soldiers  should  be  proud,  it  is  that  page  on  which 
is  written  that  victory  which  was  ours  in  peace  as  well  as 
in  war  for  the  principles  of  Republican  government.  It  is 
immaterial  to  the  Indiana  Comrade  of  the  Grand  Army 
now,  where  the  Department  of  Indiana  is  placed  in  the 
national  organization,  whether  at  the  top  or  at  the  bottom ; 
he  has  for  his  shibboleth,  triumph  in  loyalty,  obedience  to 
the  laws,  patriotism,  and  good  government. 

It  is  proper  and  germane  hereto  to  recall  the  speech 
made  by  the  war  governor  of  Inkliana,  Oliver  P.  Morton, 
at  a  public  meeting  on  the  evening  following  the  adjourn 
ment  of  this  National  Encampment,  which  was  presided 
over  by  General  John  M.  Palmer.  Governor  Morton,  after 
expressing  words  of  welcome  on  behalf  of  the  State  of  Indi 
ana  to  the  members  of  the  Gr;ind  Army  of  the;  "Republic, 
said : 


66       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"You  belong  to  an  army  that  saved  the  Nation — the 
grandest  army  of  any  nation  in  the  world,  a  citizen  arniy 
which  understood  well  the  cause  for  which  they  drew  their 
swords.  The  country  now  is  in  a  transition  period.  .  .  . 
We  are  in  the  midst  of  a  revolution  not  outside  of  the  Con 
stitution.,  but  such  as  occurs  within  constitutions. 
The  gratitude  of  the  country  is  due  to  the  men  who  saved 
it,  and  that  gratitude  will  grow  stronger  as  the  years  go 
by.  The  crippled  and  maimed  soldiers  will  he  nourished 
and  protected,  and  the  apothegm  that  "Republics  are  un 
grateful"  proven  false  in  the  case  of  America,  which  will 
take  care  of  those  to  whom  it  owes  its  national  existence." 

Eulogy  of  Governor  Morton  is  not  needed.  The  war 
produced  no  greater  man.  No  man  stood  closer  to  the  sol 
diers  than  he  did.  No  man  was  more  loved  by  the  loyal 
people  of  this  Nation  than  Morton.  Lincoln  was  worshiped, 
—Morton  was  a  part  of  every  soldier  from  Indiana.  His 
heart-strings  were  linked  with  theirs.  His  whole  life  was 
absorbed  by  all  they  did.  I  went  with  him  to  the  battle 
field  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  saw  the  majestic  personality 
and  dauntless,  untiring  energy  given  to  the  succor  of  Indi 
ana  soldiers,  and  the  great  sympathy  go  out  from  him  for 
the  many  wounded  Confederates,  many  of  whom  were 
brought  to  our  State.  I  saw  him  again  with  his  staff  of 
army  surgeons  and  nurses  when  they  came  to  us  on  the 
Yazoo  Eiver  in  May,  1863,  to  Grant's  Vicksburg  army. 
Where  there  was  pain  and  suffering,  hardship  and  exposure, 
anguish  of  wounds  and  death,  Morton  was  there  to  admin 
ister  to  his  "boys"  and  relieve  their  distress.  Wherever  we 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       67 

went  he  followed  us  with  the  care  of  a  father.  In  the  exec 
utive  office  no  want  was  overlooked,  no  need  neglected. 
Wherever  the  "boy,"  his  watchful  eye  followed  him,  and  his 
great  heart  went  out  to  him. 

Who,  then,  could  feel  a  greater  admiration  for  their 
heroism,  a  deeper  love  for  their  achievements,  than  the 
man  whose  spirit  had  dwelt  with  them  through  the  long 
night  of  civil  war?  What  better  person  than  he  could 
speak  for  Indiana  and  the  Nation,  as  he  did  speak  to  these 
veterans,  representing  their  comrades  from  every  State  that 
was  represented  in  the  Union  Army?  It  was  the  overflow 
ing  of  a  full  heart  for  the  success  of  our  arms  against  dis 
loyalty.  NOT  did  he  propose  that  the  fruits  of  this  victory 
should  be  lost  when  he  appealed  to  them  to  stand  by  the 
principles  for  which  they  had  taken  up  arms.  If  inter 
necine  strife  was  to  follow,  he  proposed  without  any  dalli 
ance  to  crush  it  with  the  same  spirit,  and  the  same  men 
who  had  crushed  the  rebellion.  The  principles  of  republi 
can  government  should  prevail,  and  its  enemies  rooted  out 
from  every  spot  where  the  germ  had  fastened  a  disloyal 
footing.  He  violated  no  moral,  religious,  or  civic  rule  when 
he  appealed  to  the  soldiers  of  his  State  to  rally  against  the 
strongholds  of  tlie  enemy,  in  sympathy  for  the  "lost  cause." 
Yes,  we  had  "a  Morton  in  our  campaign/'  and  although  this 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  a  means  to  an  end,  we 
would  have  won  with  a  liko  organization  along  the  same 
lines. 

And  when  in  later  years — in  1809 — the  Constitution 
was  made  to  read,  "No  officer  or  comrade  of  the  Grand 


68       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Army  of  the  Republic  shall  in  any  manner  use  this  organ 
ization  for  partisan  purposes,  and  no  discussion  of  partisan 
questions  shall  be  permitted  at  any  of  its  meetings,  nor  shall 
any  nominations  for  political  office  he  made,"  that  moment 
the  right  of  fellowship  was  changed  from  what  the  comrade 
ship  of  the  field  offered,  to  the  sentiment  of  the  lodge- 
•room,  that  could  not  under  any  conditions  sustain  the  ardor 
'and  support  the  inclination  of  the  veteran,  who  felt  like 
giving  his  energies,  active  and  aggressive,  on  the  line  his 
soldier  life  suggested.  What  better  service  could  the  sol 
dier  then  give  his  country  than  to  keep  it,  as  he  did,  by 
every,  honorable  means  where  he  placed  it  in  1861-65,  liber 
ated  from  a  slavei  oligarchy,  and  united  as  a  gigantic  na 
tionality?  What  is  the  soldier's  life?  Shall  he  pose  for 
and  pretend  to  be  what  he  is  not — a  hypocrite? 

I  -  stood  close  to  Morton  and  the  national  leaders  in 
1866  and  1868,  and  I  say  with  pride  and  a  satisfied  con 
science — not  boastingly — that  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  in  Indiana  in  1866  and  1868  did 
more  for  the  security  of  peace  and  good  government 
throughout  the  Nation  than  has  ever  since  been  done  by  it, 
or  any  other  organization.  This  was  Morton's  judgment 
•and  the  declared  conviction  of  many  other  national  leaders. 

I  know  what  was  done  in  that  campaign.  I  knew  every 
politician  in  the  Stat:-,  active,  and  inactive.  I  knew  every 
weak  place,  and  was  enabled  to  ht'lp  strengthen  it.  1  was 
not  only  the  Adjutant  of  the  Department,  but  Secretary 
of  the  Senate.  Thus  placed  in  this  period  of  our  State's 
history,  I  was  enabled  to  feel  the  "pulse-beat"  of  the  good 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       69 

and  the  bad  in  politics,  and  under  the  leadership  of  iny 
superior  officers,  aided  in  keeping  Indiana  in  the  column 
of  loyal  States.  In  so  doing,  Indiana  was  lieild  Republican. 
The  Senate  and  House  were  Republican — this  was  the 
struggle,  to  win  the  Legislature.  And  winning  it,  Indiana 
gave  to  the  United  States  Senate  Oliver  P.  Morton.  This 
is  what  the  Grand  Army  did  in  1806  in  Indiana. 

In  his  moments  of  reflection,  in  the  hour  when  the 
acclaim  of  her  soldiers  came  to  him  through  their  repre 
sentatives  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana  in  the  reg 
ular  session  of  18G7,  Oliver  P.  Morton  did  not  forget  them, 
when  he  laid  down  the  duties  of  governor  of  the  State  to 
accept  the  office  of  "United  States  senator,  to  which  he  was 
elected  on  January  23d,  1867.  His  message  to  that  body 
on  January  24th,  bore  these  words: 

"  ...  To  that  large  body  of  friends  who  nobly 
sustained  me  through  the  difficulties  by  which  I  was  sur 
rounded  during  the  dark  and  perilous  hours  of  the  Rebel 
lion,  I  am  bound  by  sentiments  of  affection  and  gratitude 
which  will  end  only  with  my  life. 

."To  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  Indiana,  whose  devoted 
patriotism  and  heroic  valor  have  shed1  so  much  luster  upon 
the  State  and  Nation,  I  return  my  heartfelt  thanks  for 
•their  many  manifestations  of  confidence  and  regard.  My 
Connection  with  them  in  the  organization  and  support  of 
the  army  wrill  ever  be  the  proudfest  period  of  my  life. 
May  this  people  hold  them  in  grateful  and  affectionate 
remembrance." 


70      History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Following  this  first  National  Encampment  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  was  the  first  Encampment  of  the 
Department  of  Indiana  that  convened  in  Morrison's  Opera 
Hall  on  the  evening  of  November  21?t,  18GG.  An  order 
for  this  assembly  was  undoubtedly  issued,  but  I  do  not  find 
It  among  my  papers.  My  impression  now  is,  that  the  rep 
resentation  was  fixed  after  the  Encampment  was  called  to 
order,  from  the  fact  that  some  Pests  were  morel  largely  rep 
resented  than  others  as  delegates  in  the  National  Encamp 
ment.  I  think  the  Posts  were  each  allowed  one  vote,  and 
so  many  additional  votes  for  a  number  above  a  certain 
(membership.  I  remember  that  the  Department  Encamp 
ment  was  at  least  three  times  larger  in  numbers  than  the 
vote  cast  indicated.  General  Foster  presented  a  brief  out 
line  of  his  work  as  Department  Commander,  which  com 
prised  the  organization  of  ten  Congressional  Districts,  and 
'the  establishment  of  some  three  or  four  hundred  Posts,  of 
'which  at  this  time  one  hundred  and  seventy  were  chartered. 

The  official  record  of  this  first  Department  Encamp 
ment  passed  from  year  to  year  among  the  papers  of  the 
Adjutant-General's  office,  into  the  hands  of  Colonel  Hum 
phrey's  Adjutant-General  in  1870,  whose  office  and  con 
tents  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1871,  as  I  have  been  advised. 
1  have,  therefore,  my  personal  memoranda  only  of  the  more 
important  proceedings,  from  which  I  take  the  following: 

"On  motion  of  Major  W.  T.  Jones,  of  the  District  of 
Harrison,  the  Encampment  proceeded  to  the  election  of 
Department  officers  for  the  next  ensuing  year. 


History  of  tJtc   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       71 

"General  Frank  White,  of  Owen,  nominated  for  Depart 
ment  Commander  Major-General  Nathan  Kimball;  Cap 
tain  S.  D.  Lyon,  of  Hancock,  put  in  nomination  Major- 
General  R.  S.  Foster;  Colonel  J.  0.  Martin  nominated 
General  Dan  Macaulcy.  Geineral  Foster  withdrew  his  name 
for  the  reason  he!  had  been  chosen  Junior  Vice-Commander- 
in-chief,  and  could  not  act  as  Department  Commander. 

"General  Kimball  received  58  votes,  General  Macauley 
25  votes.  General  Kimball  was  declared  elected. 

"For  Senior  Vice-Commander,  General  Dan  Macauley, 
Colonel  M.  Peden,  General  Jasper  Packard,  Colonel  Charles 
Case,  General  Thomas  J.  Brady  and  Private  A.  C.  Rowli 
son  were  placed  in  nomination.  The  relsult  of  the  first  bal 
lot  was  Macauley  35,  Peden  8,  Packard  2,  Case  4,  Brady 
10,  Rowlison  23.  Generals  Macauley's  and  Brady's  names 
were  withdrawn,  when  on  motion  Private  A.  C.  Rowlison 
was  elected  by  acclamation. 

"For  Junior  Vice-Commander,  Colonel  James  R.  Hal- 
lowell,  Colonel  E.  H.  Wolfe  and  Colonel  Charles  Case  were 
placed  in  nomination.  Colonel  Hallowell  received  10  votes, 
Colonel  Wolfe  1  vote,  Colonel  Case  received  the  majority 
of  all  the  votes  cast  and  was  declared  elected. 

"For  Adjutant-General,  Captain  E.  P.  Howe  and  Major 
0.  M.  Wilson  were  placed  in  nomination.  Captain  He  we 
received  15  votes;  Major  Wilson  received  67  votes  and  was 
declared  elected. 

"For  Quartermaster-General,  Colonel  Samuel  Merrill, 
Colonel  A.  J.  Hawhe,  and  Major  John  Popp  were  placed 
in  nomination.  On  the  iirst  ballot  Colonel  Merrill  had  19 


72 


1/ixf.wy  of  the   Grand  Army  of   the  Republic. 


votes,  Colonel  Hawhc  20  votes,  Major  Popp  25  votes.  On 
second  ballot;  the'  lowest  candidate  being  dropped,  Colonel 
Hawhe  received  30  votes,  Major  Popp  35  votes.  Colonel 
Hawhc  was  declared  elected. 

"For  Council  of  Administration,  General  Thomas  J. 
Brady,  Colonel  0.  H.  P.  Bailey,  Private  J.  K.  Powers, 
Colonel  James  K.  Hallowell,  and  Colonel  C.  J.  Dobbs  were 
chosen. 

"For  Surgeon-General,  Dr.  J.  K.  Bigelow  and  Dr.  T. 
W.  Fry  were  placed  in  nomination.  Dr.  J.  K.  Bigelow 
received  51  votes,  and  was  declared  elected. 

"For  Chaplain,  A.  Allen,  J.  H.  Lozier,  and  Captain 
Irwin  were  placed  in  nomination.  On  the  first  ballot  Allen 
•received  20  votes,  Lozier  21  votes,  Irwin  33  votes.  The 
name  of  Chaplain  Allen  was  withdrawn,  and  the  second 
ballot  stood,  Lozier  21  votes,  Irwin  49  votes,  and  he  was 
declared  elected. 

"The  following  resolution,  offered  by  Colonel  James  R. 
Hallowell,  of  Parke),  was  adopted  unanimously: 

'  'Resolved,  That  in  the  name  of  our  fallen  comrades  of 
our  own  proud  Hoosier  State,  we  pledge  the  devotion  of 
our  time,  our  energy,  our  means,  and,  if  need  be,  our  lives, 
in  support  of  the  principles  set  forth  in  the  Constitution 
and  resolutions  adopted  by  the  National  Encampment  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic/ 

"On  motion  the  Encampment  dissolved. 

"Attest: 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"A  dj  ula  >  it-General." 


MAJOR-GENERAL  ROBERT  8.  FOSTER.     (1866.) 

Department  Commander  of  Indiana  and  Acting  Provisional  National  Com 
mander,  July  1866  to  Nov.  21,  1866.  Junior  Vice-Commander-in-Chief-Elect, 
Nov.  21,  1866  to  January,  1868.  Department  Commadner  of  Indiana,  1868-9. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       73 

On  November  22d,  18(56,   General  Kimball  issued  the 
following : 
"Fellow-Comrades : 

"Having  been  chosen  by  you  in  convention  assembled, 
Commander,  I  now  hereby  assume  command  of  tllis 
Department,  with  headquarters  at  Indianapolis.  I  con 
gratulate  the*  'army'  on  the  happy  results  of  the  National 
Convention  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  Indian 
apolis  on  the  20th  and  21st  inst  Our  organization  has 
now  been  definitely  and  solidly  made  national.  It  is  only 
necessary  to  refer  to  the  illustrious  soldiers  chosen  for  olh- 
cers  of  the  Grand  Army  to  recall  to  every  soldier  memories 
of  toilsome  inarches,  weary  vigils,  battles,  and  sieges;  and 
their  past  records  give  assurance  of  an  able,  wise,  and  ener 
getic  administration  of  the  weighty  responsibilities  imposed 
upon  them  as  leaders  of  the  defenders  of  the  Republic.  The 
principles  that  actuate  the  true  soldier  can  never  become 
the  heritage  of  any  but  a  noble,  generous,  active,  and 
humane  people.  The  Grand  Army  fitly  chooses  to  recog 
nize  only  such  principles,  and  as  faithful  comrades  in  the 
field  let  us  always  endeavor  by  our  language  and  actions  to 
secure  and  maintain  the  same  pledges,  of  devotion  that  wo 
then  and  there  made  to  that  "old  flag,"  which  is  emblem 
atical  of  all  that  i.-  good  and  great  in  a  nation,  and  bravo 
and  loyal  in  man.  Let  every  member  of  the  'army'  remem 
ber  that  he  is  a  soldier:  our  Posts  are;  camps  of  instruction, 
not  debating  societies.  Let  a  strict  military  discipline  be 
maintained  and  a  willing  respect  yielded  to  the  officers 
whom  you  have  elected  for  vour  leaders. 


74       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  EC  public. 

"With  an  abiding  faith  in  the  justice  of  our  claims  and 
righteousness  of  our  principles,  I  recommend  the  widest 
possible  diffusion  of  knowledge  of  our  organization,  until 
every  true  and  tried  soldier  who  has  marched  to  the  'music 
of  the  Union'  and  worn  the  blue  shall  be  mustered  into 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  every  suffering,,  dis 
abled  soldier,  every  soldier's  widow  and  his  orphan  shall  be 
Relieved  by  the  sense  of  justice  and  liberal  generosity,  not 
the;  charity  of  the  Government. 

"I  shall  cheerfully  give  to  you  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duties  all  the  ability  I  possess,  and  in  return  ask  your 
earnest  co-operation  to  make  the  Grand  Army  in  Indiana 
all  that  the  spirit  of  its  laws  demand  and  its  provisions 
contemplate. 

"The  officers  elected  the  staff  of  this  Department  are 
herewith  announced : 

"Senior  Vice  Commander,  Private)  A.  0.  Rowlison. 

"Junior  Vice  Commander,  Colonel  Charles  Case. 

"Adjutant-General,  Major  0.  M.  Wilson. 

"Inspector-General,  Colonel  A.  J.  Hawhe. 

"Surgeon-General,  Dr.  J.  K.  Bigelow. 

"Chaplain,  Rev.  Mr.  Irwin. 

"NATHAN  KIMBALL, 
"Commander,  Department  of  Indiana,  67.  A.  R." 

In  a  General  Order,  No.  7,  the  following  named  com 
rades  were  appointed  Aides-de-camp:  Samuel  Merrill, 
Aide-de-camp  and  Inspector-General ;  George  IT.  Chapman, 
Dan  Macauley,  Henry  Jordan,  S.  Edward  Armstrong,  Milo 
S.  Haseall;  Thomas  M.  Browne, 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of   thr.   Ttr  public.       75 

General  KiinlmlPs  first  Council  assembled  on  the  9th 
of  January,  1867.  Articles  of  incorporation  of  the  Grand 
Army  for  Indiana  were  ordered  to  be  drawn  as  soon  as  the 
new  constitution  could  be  made  part  thereof.  The  Coun 
cil  directed  that  no  badges  be  sold  outside  of  the  encamp 
ments  in  this  Department;  that  no  member  shall  receive 
nor  be  permitted  to  pay  for  a  badge  until  his  dues  shall 
be  paid  to  his  Post;  that  a  circular  be  issued  to  all  Posts 
for  a  memorial  to  he  signed  by  all  soldiers  and  citizens,  ask 
ing  our  Legislature  to  repeal  the  law  permitting  county 
commissioners  to  assess  certain  taxes  affecting  soldiers. 

The  salary  of  the  Adjutant-General  was  iixed  at  one 
hundred  dollars  per  month  from  and  aftor  Xov.  21st,  1S(>(>. 
Mileage,  per  diem,  $3.00,  was  allowed. 

The  administration  of  General  Kimlmll  was  a  remark 
able  one  in  many  respects,  chiefly  in  leaving  everything  to 
be  done  by  his  Adjutant-General,  with  whom  there  was 
always  the  heartiest  accord  and  intimate  fellowship.  No 
act  was  clone,  no  order  ever  written  without  the  approval 
of  the  General.  But  General  KimbalFs  zeal  neycr  flagged. 
He  kept  himself  well  informed  of  the  progress  of  the  Order. 
He  almost  always  directed  answers  to  letters.  Anything 
that  would  contribute  to  the  glory  of  the  Order  he  would 
direct.  His  heart  was  very  tender  in  love  for  the  soldier, 
and  many  he  assisted  from  his  own  means.  He  would  not 
hear  a  soldier  abused.  He  gave  his  confidence,  and  it  was 
not  abused. 

One  special  and  important  eyent  that  occurred  in  his 
administration  was  the  laving  of  the  corner-stone  of  the 


76       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Soldiers'  Home  at  Knightstown  on  the  4th  of  July,  1867. 
Of  all  acts  of  his  life  he  regarded  this  to  be  the  crowning 
one.  That  ceremony  is  a  part  of  Indiana  history  that  I  deem 
worthy  of  preserving,  and  find  no  better  place  for  it  than 
in  this  connection. 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Kepublic, 

"Adjutant-General's  Office, 
"Indianapolis,  May  27th,  1867. 
"Comrades: 

"While  wo  commemorate  on  the  4th  of  July,  1867,  the 
anniversary  of  our  independence  as  a  Nation,  we  should  not 
forget  our  achievements  in  the  late  war  for  the  preserva 
tion  of  the  Union,  especially  on  tins  day,  when  at  Vicks- 
fourg  and  Gettysburg  the  principles  of  liberty  and  union 
were  again  triumphant  by  the  surrender  of  the  besieged 
citadel  of  the  one,  and  the  overthrow,  at  the  other,  of  the 
enemy  on  the  battle-field.  It  was  by  such  patriotic  ardor 
and  devotion  of  the  Union  Army  to  these  principles  that 
we  are  once  more  permitted  to  enjoy  the  endearments  of 
homo  and  the  blessings  of  a  permanent  Union.  The  luster 
of  our  arms  will  become  brighter  as  time  rolls  on,  and  the 
name  of  American  soldier  will  be  a  synonym  for  bravery, 
dauntless  valor,  and  courage;  his  love  of  country  and  trust 
in  an  all-wise  God  will  cast  an  eternal  halo  around  the 
proud  title,  American  citizen. 

"The  friendships,  sympathy,  and  brotherly  love  formed 
in  the  field  were  unwillingly  severed,  but  the  same  princi 
ples  that  actuated  us  there  have  re-united  us  in  the  peace 
ful  walks  of  life,  under  the  same  flag,  in  a  great  'Army' 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of   the  Republic. 


t 1 


whose  mission  is  charity  and  love.  Our  duty  now  is  to  care 
for  our  wounded  comrades  and  to  protect  and  educate  the 
families  of  deceased  soldiers.  Our  opportunities  are  al 
ways;  our  duty  eternal.  To  this  wise  purpose  our  State 
nas  generously  established  a  'Soldiers'  Home/  Beautiful 
grounds  have  been  purchased,  and  a  suitable  structure  is 
now  in  process  of  erection.  In  consideration  of  our  iden 
tity  as  a  brotherhood  with  the  inmates  of  the  'Home/  the 
Board  of  Directors  have  requested  that  the  'Grand  Army' 
conduct  the  ceremonies  of  laying  the  corneir-stone  on  the 
coming  4th  of  July.  The  ceremony  will  therefore  be 
made,  under  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  this  De 
partment,  an  honor  to  tlirt  'Army'  and  a  tribute  worthy  of 
the  comrades  whose  battle-scars  secure  to  them  the  honor 
and  gratitude  of  our  noble  State.  For  this  occasion  the 
order  of  the  day  will  be  duly  announced  from  these  head 
quarters. 

"It  is  earnestly  desired  that  comrades  throughout  the 
State  will  commemorate  the  coming  Fourth  wherever  an 
opportunity  is  offered.  A  Grand  Encampment  in  the  Dis 
trict  of  Tippecanoe  at  Lafayette  on  this  day,  together  with 
other  Encampments  in  other  districts,  at  different  times, 
should  receive,  as  far  as  possible,  a  cordial  co-operation  of 
all  Posts  in  this  Department,  It  is  earnestly  desired  that 
our  greatest  national  clay  may  be  made  one  of  reunion 
of  comrades,  and  let  the  time  be  propitious  for  more 


78       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  He  public. 

closely  uniting  the  veterans  of  the  field  in  our  Order  of 
brotherhood. 
"By  order  of 

"NATHAN  KIMBALL, 

"Department  Commander 
"0.  M.  WILSON, 

"Adjutant-General;" 

Special  Orders,  Xo.  14,  dated  May  28th,  1867,  followed : 

"I.     District   Commanders  and   Commanders  of  Posts, 

with  the  Adjutants  thereof,  are  requested  to  meet  with  a 

committee-  and  the  officers  of  Headquarters  Department,  at 

headquarters  Post  No.  1,  District  of  Henry,  Knightstown, 

on  Tuesday,  Juno  4th,  at  10  o'clock  a.  in.,  to  confer  with 

'the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Soldiers'  Home,  to  make  the 

necessary  arrangements  for  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the 

Home  on  the  coining  Fourth  of  July. 

"By  order  of 

"NATHAN  KIMBALL, 
"Department   Commander. 
"0.  M.  WILSON, 

"Adjutant-General," 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

"Adjutant-General's  Office, 

^Indianapolis,  Ind.,  June  6,  1867. 
"[Circular.] 

"The  attention  of  the  Comrades  throughout  the  State, 
and  especially  of  the  members  of  Posts  and  Districts  near 
the  locality  of  the  ceremony,  is  called  to  the  enclosed  pro 
gramme  of  exercises,  to  be  observed  at  the  laying  of  the 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       79 

tfcornetr-stone?  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Knightstown,  In 
diana,  on  the  coming  Fourth  of  July,  as  arranged  at  the 
meeting  of  Comrades  called  for  the  purpose,  at  Knights- 
town,  on  the  4th  inst. 

"It  is  earnestly  requested  that  the  members  of  the  Or 
der  will  spare  no  effort  which  may  be  necessary  to  make 
this  occasion — what  it  deserved  to  be — one  of  the  grandest 
ever  known  in  our  State,  a  credit  to  the  Army  and  an  honor 
to  the  cause  it  represents. 

"By  order  of 

"KITHAX  KTMP.ALL, 
ff Commanding  Department, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 

"A  djuttni  I -General. 
"[Official.] 

"A  ssxislfiH I  A  (Ij)il(ui t-Gcncrnl." 


80       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

PROGRAMME. 
ASSEMBLY  SOUNDED  AT  1  p.  M. 

Music  by  Band. 
(Hail  Columbia.) 

Prayer Comrade  A.  C.  Allen, 

Chaplain  Post  No.  1,  District  of  Marion. 

Reading  Declaration  of  Independence 

Comrade  0.  M.  Wilson. 

Adjutant-General,  Department  of  Indiana. 

Music  by  Band. 
(Star  Spangled  Banner.) 

Laying  Corner-Stone. 

Depositing  A  Hides  in  the  Corner-Stone 

Major-General    Nathan  Kimball, 

Department  Commander. 

Address Comrade  Governor  Conrad  Baker, 

District  of  Vanderlmrg. 

Prayer Chaplain  IT.  J.  Meek, 

Knightstown. 

Music  by  Band. 

Muster  of  Comrades  and  Address 

Comrade  William  A.  Cullen, 

District  of  Rush. 

Grand  Officer  of  the  Day — Comrade,  William  Cumback, 
of  Decatur. 

Grand  Marshal — Comrade  Milton  Peden,  of  Henry. 

Assistant  Marshal — Comrade  W.  M.  Cameron,  of 
Henry. 


History  of  tJie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       81 

PROCEEDINGS  AND  CEREMONIES  AT  THE  SOL 
DIERS'  HOME,  KNIGHTSTOWN. 


Ox  THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1867,  ATTENDING  THE  LAYING 

OF  THE   CORNER-STONE   OF  THE   HOME,   UNDER 

THE  AUSPICES  OF  THE  "GRAND  ARMY 

OF  THE  REPUBLIC." 


Reported  for  the  Indianapolis  Journal. 

The  good  people  of  Knightstown  and  vicinity,  wearied 
with  several  days  of  busy  preparation  for  the  approaching 
celebration,  slept  in  undisturbed  quiet  on  the  night  of  the 
third.  Not  oven  a  fire-cracker  or  torpedo,  or  other  ebulli 
tion  of  juvenile  patriotism,  broke  upon  the  profound  still 
ness  of  the  scenes,  "until  a  national  salute  from  Sergeant  F. 
P>.  Rose's  section  of  field  artillery  ushered  in  "The  Glorious 
Fourth/5  awoke  the  echoes  along  the  banks  of  Blue  River, 
and  reverberated  among  the  hills  of  Henry  and  Rush.  At 
this  sound  the  usually  "staid  and  stern  decorum"  of  the 
quiet  little  town  gave  place  to  jubilant  hilarity.  Thousands 
of  tongues  seemed  instantly  to  have  found  utterance.  "Vil- 
Jainous  saltpetre"  exploded  on  every  hand,  and  our  national 
colors  were  unfurled  in  the  morning  breeze,  not  only  from 
the  top  of  every  building,  but  from  every  door  and  win 
dow,  from  the  head  of  every  horse  and  mule,  in  the  hand 
of  every  boy  and  girl,  and  from  every  other  place  to  which 
the  minutest  flag-staff  could  be  attached. 


82       Histwy  of  tlic  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Country  wagons,  freighted  with  entire  families,  from 
the  babe  in  arms  to  the  gray-haired  grandsire,  and  ballasted 
with  huge  baskets  of  edibles,  filled  every  road  approaching 
the  town,  and  rolled  over  the  pike  leading  out  to  the 
"Home"  in  a  continuous  procession.  The  "solid  yeomanry" 
of  Henry,  Rush  and  adjacent  counties  left  their  wheat- 
fields  in  mid-harvest  and  turned  out  with  their  families  and 
work  people  to  celebrate  the  day  and!  testify  their  affection 
for  our  disabled  heroes. 

The  first  special  train  from  Indianapolis  arrived  at  nine 
o'clock,  bringing  His  Excellency,  Governor  Baker,  Hon.  Will 
Cumback,  President  of  the  Senate1,  Rev.  Dr.  Scott,  Presi 
dent  of  Hanover  University,  and  several  hundred  members 
'of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  from  Marion  and  other 
districts. 

At  twenty  minutes  past  nine  the  procession  was  formed 
on  Main  Street  in  the  folio-wing  order,  by  Grand  Marshal 
'Comrade  Milton  IVdcn,  assisted  by  Comrades  W.  M.  Cam 
eron  and  Wilburn. 

ORDER    OF    PROCESSION. 

1.  Chief  Marshal  and  Assistants. 

2.  Music  (Knightstown  Cornet  Band). 

3.  His   Excellency,    Governor   Baker    (orator   of   the 

day)  and  Staff. 

4.  Soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812. 

Blue  River  Lodge,  TsTo.  18,  I.  0.  0.  F. 
Post  No.  1,  G.  A.  R.,  District  of  Henry. 
Members  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  from  other  Posts. 
Citizens  on  foot. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       83 

9.     Citizens  in  carriages. 

10.     Citizens  on  horseback. 

From  Main  Street  the  procession  filed  out  upon  the 
Iiushville  pike,  and  moved  toward  the  "Home/"  one  and  a 
half  miles  distant. 

The  ninth  section,  citizens  in  carriages,  was  the  most 
important  feature.  Every  variety  of  vehicular  conveyance, 
from  the  rudest  one-horse  turn-out  to  the  "coach  and  six," 
was  represented,  and  all  so  hedceked  with  evergreens,  flow 
ers,  flags,  and  streamers — so  covered  with  the  gay  and  ele 
gant  costumes  of  their  beautiful  and  happy  occupants,  that 
country  wagons  looked  as  gay  as  city  equipages. 

The  Odd  Fellows  made  a  really  fine  appearance,  and 
were  present  in  numbers  sullicient  to  indicate  the  prosper 
ity  of  the  Order  in  that  locality. 

The  Grand  Army  portion  of  the  procession  was  not  so 
numerous.  The  fact  is,  "the  boys"7  have  had  their  fill  of 
inarching,  and  have  ser.'n  so  much  of  the  "pomp  and  circum 
stance  of  war,"  that  they  do  not  care  to  take  part  in  parades 
that  seem  insignificant  when  contrasted  with  those  in  which 
they  have  participated.  Thousands  of  soldiers  were  in  at 
tendance,  but  only  a  small  proportion  of  theim  marched  in 
procession.  Men  whose  feet  "kept  time  to  the  music  of  the 
Union"  from  Phillippi  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  from  Stone 
Tliver  to  the  Atlantic,  may  well  be  excused  from  holiday 
marches. 

The  venerable  Major  William  M.  Doughty,  of  Henry, 
and  other  soldiers  of  181'?,  among  whom  we  noticed  Lazarus 
?>.  Wilson,  of  Indianapolis,  father  of  Comrade  0.  M.  Wil 
son,  constituted  the  fourth  section. 


84       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Arriving  at  the  "Home'5  shortly  after  ten  o'clock,  the 
procession  dispersed,  and,  mingling  with  other  assembled 
thousands,  strolled  through  the  groves  belonging  to  the 
grounds  of  the  Institution. 

A  most  impressive  scene  it  was,  when  the  crutches  and 
the  wooden  limbs  struck  the  floor,  and  the  empty  sleetves 
helped  to  remind  us  of  the  sad,  sad  story  of  treason  and 
murder.  All  seated,  a  blessing  was  asked  by  Governor 
Baker,  and  the  viands  were  discussed  to  the  apparent  satis 
faction  of  all  at  the  bountiful  board. 

The  Assembly  was  sounded  at  one  o'clock,  and  a  vast 
crowd  variously  estimated  at  from  eight  to  twelve  thousand 
persons,  gathered  in  front  of  the  stand  which  had  been 
erected  in  a  grove  opposite  the  old  Home,  and  near  the  site 
of  the  building  in  process  of  erection.  The  stand  was  dec- 
orati'd  with  battle-flags  of  the  8th,  19th,  27th,  30th,  37th, 
43d,  51st,  57th,  69th,  and  84th  regiments.  Before  the  exer 
cises,  as  set  clown  in  the  programme,  commenced,  General 
Kimball  arrived  upon  the  grounds  with  General  Charles 
Cruft  and  Adjutant-General  Terrell.  As  Colonel  Peden 
was  about  to  apologize  for  the  absence  of  General  Kimball, 
supposing  him  to  be  in  N~ew  York,  attending  to  his  duties 
as  one  of  the  Sinking  Fund  Board,  the  General  was  espied 
working  his  way  through  the  crowd,  and  the  "leader  of  the 
forlorn  hope  at  Fredericksburg"  was  obliged  to  show  himself 
upon  the  stand  and  submit  to  a  round  or  two  of  such  cheers 
as  only  Western  soldiers  can  give.  When  the  applause  was 
subsided,  Comrade  Will  Cumback,  Grand  Officer  of  the  Day, 
called  the  meeting  to  order.  The  band  played  Hail  Colum- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       85 

bia,  which  was  followed  by  an  eloquent  and  fervent  prayer 
from  Comrade  A.  C.  Allen,  Chaplain  Post  No.  1,  District 
of  Marion.  The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  by 
Comrade  0.  M.  Wilson,  Adjutant-General  Department  of 
Indiana.  Major  Wilson's  elocution  brought  out  the  full 
meaning  of  that  revered  production  of  one  of  the  Fathers 
of  the  Republic.  In  this  effort,  not  less  than  in  his  many 
arduous  labors  to  insure  the  success  of  the  celebration.,  the 
[Major  acquitted  himself  most  handsomely.  He  has  earned 
the  gratitude  of  all  his  comrades.  The  Star  Spangled  Ban 
ner,  by  the  band,  concluded  the  preliminary  exercises  at  the 
stand,  and 

LAYING   OF    TJI.H    CORNER-STONE, 

with  solemn  and  imposing  ceremonies,,  was  the  next  thing 
in  order.  The  vast  crowd  gathered  about  the  southwest  cor 
ner  of  the  foundation,  and  the  Governor  and  other  digni 
taries  and  officials  took  their  places  upon  a  platform  which 
had  hu'n  prepared  for  the  occasion.  The  Grand  Officer  of 
the  Day  introduced  Chaplain  LI.  J.  Meek,  of  Knightstown, 
who  invoked  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  Institution, 
its  inmates,  and  all  who  had  contributed  to  its  aid  or 
advancement. 

A  metallic  box  containing  the  articles  was  then  deposited 
in  the  cavity  by  Comrade  0.  M.  Wilson,  when  General 
Charles  Cruft,  with  a  few  appropriate  remarks,  read  the 
following 

LIST  OF  ARTICLES  DEPOSITED  IN  THE  CORNER-STONE. 

1.  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2.  Articles  of  Confederation  and  Perpetual  Union  be 
tween  the  States. 


86       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

3.  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

4.  Constitution  of  Indiana. 

5.  Washington's  Farewell  and  Other  Addresses. 

6.  History  of  the  States  of  the  Union. 

7.  Ordinances  of  1787. 

<S.     Emancipation  Proclamation. 

9.  Chronological  Record  of  tho  Rebellion. 

10.  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana  establish 
ing  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

11.  Second  Inaugural  Address  of  President  Lincoln. 

12.  History  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  from  the  time  of  its 
organization,  10th  of  August,  18(15,  to  the  1st  of  April,  1867, 
the  time,  of  its  transfer  from  the  Association  to  the  State 
of  Indiana. 

13.  Constitution  and   Charter  of  the  Grand   Army  of 
the  Republic. 

14.  Circulars,  General  and  Special  Orders  of  the  Grand 
Army   from  the  time  of  its  organization   in  Indiana,  Aug 
ust  20,  1866. 

15.  Message  of  Governor  Oliver  P.   Morton,  delivered 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana,  January  11,  18G7. 

1(5.  Governor  Baker's  Message  to  the  Legislature,  com 
municating  reports  in  reference  to  the  Indiana  Sanitary 
Commission,  and  Memorial  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Indiana  Agricultural  College. 

17.  Adjutant-General   W.  H.  H.  Terrell's  Reports  of 
Indiana  Soldiers. 

18.  Report  of  the  Indiana  Military  Agency  to  the  Gov 
ernor,  December,  1864. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        87 

19.  Senate  and  House  Keports  of  the  Getaeral  Assembly 
of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs. 

20.  Keport  of  Adjutant-General  Laz.  Noble,  from  Jan 
uary  1,  18(>o,  to  November  .!:>,  1864. 

The  eap  of  the  stone  was  then  placed  over  the  box,  and 
General  Xathan  Kimball,  Commanding  Department  of  In- 
tliana,  stepping  forward,  read  the  following  ceremonial  ad 
dress  prepared  for  the  occasion  : 

GEXEUAL  KIMBALI/S  ADDKESS. 

"Comrade*  and  FeHoii'-Citizcns: 

"On  this  great  national  day  we  have  assembled  to  lay 
fin's  corner-stone,  the  emblematic  support  of  the  'Home'  of 
our  wounded  and  disabled  comrades. 

"We  dedicate  this  'Home  to  our  comrades,  whom  battle- 
scars  have  made  priceless  jewels  in  the  tiara  of  our  national 
crown.  Their  history  is  co-eternal  with  the  scenes  and  events 
of  many  battle-fields,  where  they  so  nobly  gave  themselves 
a  sacrifice. 

"Within  this  corner-stone  we  record  our  remembrance 
of  the  many  painful  and  toilsome  marches,  and  the  patient 
endurance  through  the  long  night  of  war:  and  in  this  re 
membrance,  with  our  ranks  thinned,  though  not  broken,  we 
pledge  to  them  and  to  each  other  that,  come  weal  or  woe, 
the  same  old  flag  shall  protect  us  as  a  nation  as  long  as  an 
arm  can  be  raised  to  strike,  or  a  voice  to  plead  in  its  defense*. 

"'Let  the  cannon  with  its  battle-clouds  bring  to  the  mem 
ory  of  our  comrades  the  day  of  peril.  [One  salute  of  can 
non.]  Him  who  shall  dare  to  strike  the  flag,  emblem  of 


88       History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

all  that  is  good  and  great,  let  the  earnest  sound  warn.  [Two 
salutes  of  cannon.] 

"Now  peace  has  come  with  her  enticing  charms,  and  the 
battle-field  is  losing  its  horrors.  Encircling  that  scene  of 
desolation  and  violent  decay,  rounded  knoll,  deep  ravine,  and 
undulating  plain,  once  seamed  and  dented  with  earthworks, 
now  grass-grown,  spread  out  the  ripening  harvests  to  greet 
the  peaceful  morn.  In  the  midst  of  this  glad  serene,  %ith 
malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all/  let  us  remember 
the  duty  of  the  hour;  our  duty  to  our  country,  our  duty  to 
the  Supreme  Ruler,  whose  providence  blesses  this  Nation 
to-day  as  the  soil  of  freedom.  Our  duty  to  the  world  is  to 
hold  intact  our  nationality — to  prove  that  we  are  a  free,  sov 
ereign,  and  independent  people,  controlled  by  that  instru 
ment  which  was  conceived  in  purity  and  born  in  patriotism 
— our  Constitution.  May  its  ensign,  that  has  commanded 
respect  and  veneration  in  the  gloom  of  Oriental  despotism, 
guiding  the  wandering  American  with  its  morning  stars,  and 
at  sunset  blending  its  hues  with  the  vault  of  heaven  to  shield 
and  protect  him,  that  made  the  solitary  pilgrimage  at  Val 
ley  Forge  and  crossed  the  ice-bound  waters  at  Trenton  with 
victor}-  gleaming  upon  it,  that  has  been  unfurled  from  the 
snows  of  Canada  to  the  halls  of  Montezuma  and  amid  the 
solitudes  of  every  sea,  the  symbol  of  resistless  and  beneficent 
power;  that  has  led  the  free  to  victory  and  triumphed  ova- 
treason — may  it  ever  be  like  the  guardian  angel  over  this 
Home,  and  under  its  folds  may  this  chosen  spot,  consecrated 
this  day,  be  forever  sacred  and  honored." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  address,  the  stone  was  cemented 
to  its  place,  over  which  tattoo  was  sounded,  and  the  Rev. 


Histwy  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.        SO 

Dr.  Scott,  President  of  Hanover  College,  in  an  eloquent  and 
appropriate  prayer,  concluded  the  ceremonies. 
I  lieturning  to  the  stand,  the  crowd  occupied  every  avail 
able  inch  of  sitting  or  standing  room  where  there  could  be 
the  remotest  possibility  of  hearing  the  oration.  The  Grand 
Officer  of  the  Day  introduced  His  Excellency,  Governor 
P>aker,  as  the  orator  of  the  day,  who  secured  the  closest  atten 
tion  of  his  immense  audience  during  the  delivery  of  his 
address,  which  occupied  about  forty-five  minutes. 

INCIDENTAL  MATTBKS. 

SERGEANT   ROSINS    ARTILLERY, 

Which  furnished  the  thunder,  without  which  no  Fourth 
bf  July  could  be  duly  celebrated,  was  manned  by  one  gun- 
squad  from  Indianapolis  and  another  from  Knightstown,  all 
of  the  Fifteenth  Indiana  Battery.  The  neat  and  soldierly 
appearance  of  the  men,  and  their,  gentlemanly  deportment, 
and  the  highly  artistic  manner  in  which  they  performed  their 
part  in  the  programme,  elicited  much  praise.  Their  "sa 
lutes,"  which  pointed  the  emphasis  of  the  address  by  Gen 
eral  Kimball,  were  fired  with  the  most  accurate  precision. 
It  seemed  to  the  spectators  as  if  a  perfect  understanding 
existed  between  the  General  and  the  guns. 

THE   NEW   BUILDING. 

Most  of  our  readers  are  aware  that  the  last  General  As 
sembly  relieved  the  voluntary  associations,  which  had  prcvi- 
(msly  supported  the  Soldiers'  Home,  of  the  care  and  mainte 
nance  of  that  institution.  An  appropriation  was  made  for 
its  support,  though  not  on  a  very  liberal  basis,  and  a  fur- 


90       Ilistwy  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

tlier  appropriation  was  granted  for  the  erection  of  a  perma 
nent  building  to  take  the  place  of  the  inadequate  and  in 
convenient  structures  now  in  use.  The  new  building  now 
being  erected  under  the  supervision  of  the  Commissioners, 
Messrs.  Hannaman,  of  Marion,  Hill,  of  Rush,  and  Hubbard, 
of  Henry  County,  will  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long, 
sixty  feet  wide,  and  three  stories  high.  The  first  story  will 
bci  thirteen  feet,  and  the  other  two  twelve  feet  each,  from 
floor  to  ceiling.  It  is  intended  to  afford  ample  accommoda 
tions  for  two  hundred  inmates,  besides  the  families  of  the 
Superintendent  and  the  Steward.  Kitchen,  hospital,  laun 
dry,  and  bathing-rooms  will  all  be  in  the  main  building. 


Another  event  marked  the  administration  of  General 
Ivimball.  Reference  is  made  to  it  in  Beath's  History,  p.  77, 
as  follows : 

"The  failure  to  convene  the  National  Encampment  dur 
ing  the  year  gave  occasion  for  considerable  criticism,  and  a 
number  of  leading  comrades  felt  it  necessary  to  strongly 
advise  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  evil  consequences  of 
such  delay. 

General  Beath  expresses  it  very  mildly.  The  fact  w^as, 
Stephenson,  as  Adjutant-General,  was  not  supported  in  his 
own  State  as  he  should  have  been,  and  1 1  iwral  llurlbut,  as, 
Commander-in-chief,  was  apathetic  from  the  same  cause. 
"At  the  same  time,"  as  Beath  truly  says,  "Stephenson, 
though  thoroughly  devoted  to  the  Order,  .  .  .  lacked  in 
the  requisites?  For  the  methodical  conduct  of  office  business.'7 

As  early  as  April,  murmurs  came  from  Eastern  States, 
those  especially  that  were  given  the  work  at  Pittsburg,  of 


<>f  the   (irand  A  run/  of   Ihc   Republic.        91 

the  neglect  and  indifference  to  appeal-  by  the  National  Head 
quarters.  Some  of  this  correspondence  even  requested  the 
officers  of  our  headquarters,,  to-  write  and  even  go  over  to 
Springfield  to  sec  what  was  the  matter.  We  had  not  felt 
any  neglect,  because  probably  we  were  in  an  advanced  stage 
of  organization,  and  needed  no  help,  yet  we  knew  General 
Hurlbut's  administration  was  a  failure.  It  is  true*,  as  Beath 
says,  other  Departments  found  it  necessary  to  provide  their 
own  supplies,  such  as  rituals,  regulations,  etc.  However, 
we  interceded  upon  these  complaints.  We  found  Stephen- 
eon  lacking  in  about  everything,  chiefly  thorough  organiza 
tion,  which  he  frankly  admits  in  his  report  in  January, 
18G8,  to  the  National  Encampment. 

Eeporting  these  facts  and  the  general  apathy  to  Depart 
ments  making  inquiries  simply  fanned  the  flames  to  an 
almost  open  rebellion.  The  condition  of  National  Head 
quarters  was  the  subject  of  much  correspondence.  The  ten 
sion  at  last  became  so  great  that  General  Kimball  directed 
correspondence  with  certain  Departments,  with  a  view  of 
bringing  the  consequences  of  further  neglect  to  the  knowl 
edge  of  General  Hurlbut,  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  him  feel 
that  he  was  in  a  way  partly  responsible.  Accordingly  in 
April,  I  addressed  communications  to  the  several  Depart 
ment  Commanders,  who  had  written  to  Indiana  Headquar 
ters.  The  answers  of  several  of  these  gentlemen  follow: 


92       History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"Saratoga  Springs, 

"April  18th,  1867. 
f< General: 

"Your  communication  of  the  13th  inst.,  in  which  by 
'direction  of  General  Kimball,  Commanding  Department  of 
Indiana,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  you  request  a  con 
ference  of  the  Department  officers  of  Indiana,  Ohio,  Penn 
sylvania,  and  ISTew  York,  at  a  very  early  day,  at  some  con 
venient  place,  is  received  and  carefully  considered.  The 
proposition  impresses  me  favorably,  and  I  assent  to  it,  be 
lieving  that  much  good  must  result  from  such  a  conference. 
"is  it  desirable  that  the  proposed  conference  be  par 
ticipated  in  by  certain  able  men  from  the  Eastern  States, 
where1,  by  agencies  emanating  from  this  Department,  our 
Order  has  been  extended,  and  where  provisional  organiza 
tions  exist? 

"Your  obedient  servant, 

"JAMES  B.  MC!VEAN, 
"Grand  Commander.,  Department  of  New  York, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic." 

Answers  with  other  suggestions  coming  from  other 
Btates,  General  McKean  was  again  written  to,  and  advised 
of  this  correspondence,  His  reply  follows: 

"Saratoga  Springs,  May  20th,  1867. 

Cfl\1ajor  0.   M.   Wilson,  Adjutant-General,    Dejiartment   of 
Indiana. 

"Dtnr  Sir: — I  have  been  looking  with  interest  for  fur 
ther  action  in  pursuance  of  the  plan  suggested  to  me  in  your 
communication  of  the  13th  ult.,  but  your  continued  silence, 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       93 

save  your  note  of  April  23,  loads  me  to  think  that  some  un 
expected  obstacle  has  been  interposed.  Is  the  proposed  con 
ference  abandoned?  I  trust  not,  believing  that  great  good 
may — nay,  must  result  from  it.  Indeed  I  deem  some  such 
movement  to  be  of  the  la.-t  importance..  Without  it  arc  we 
not  in  danger  of  disintegration,  or  a  stagnation  akin  to 
death?  I  will  assume,  however,  that  the  conference  is  only 
a  question  of  time. 

"You  have  reasons  for  not  inviting  the  officers  of  the 
Eastern  Departments,  and  of  course  I  yield  the  point.  Do 
like  reasons  weigh  against  inviting  those  of  the  Departments 
of  Maryland  and  the  Potomac,  especially  the  latter?  Would 
it  not  be  well  to  have  officers,  whose  headquarters  are  at  the 
capitol  of  the  country,  in  conference  with  us?  I  simply 
query. 

"T  am,  faithfully  yours, 

"JAMES  MCKEAN/' 

From  the  Department  of  Ohio,  General  Thomas  L. 
Young,  Department  Commander  of  date  May  29th,  wrote: 
'"I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  meet  you  at  Philadelphia,  but 
am  afraid  that  circumstances  will  prevent  my  doing  so. 
However,  I  shall  ho  there  if  within  the  possibilities,  and  at 
all  events  I  think  1  shall  got  Captain  Shocklcy  to  go.  ... 
'The  Order  is  rapidly  growing  in  Ohio,  and  by  next  fall  it 
will  be  strong  enough  to  be  felt  for  good." 

Similar  letters  were  received  from  General  A.  W.  Den- 
nison  and  Colonel  Sparhawk,  of  Maryland;  Colonel  Lubey, 
of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Colonel  Fairleigh,  of  Kentucky;  and 
others.  As  I  remember  now,  there  were  twelve  or  fifteen 


94        History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

persons  in  this  conference'.,  hold  at  Philadelphia,  all  Depart 
ment  officers,  from  some  half-dozen  or  more  States.  The 
conference  and  its  results  are  thus  stated  in  Beath's  History : 

"A  conference  of  influential  members  was  held  in  Phil 
adelphia  to  consider  this  matter,  and  the  consent  of  Senior 
'Vice-Commander-in-chief  was  obtained  to  a  proposition, 
that  he  should  himself  convene  the  encampment,  if  another 
appeal  to  headquarters  should  pass  unheeded." 

This  was  the  chief  purpose  of  the  conference,  to  have 
McKean  convene  the  National  Encampment,  provided  Na 
tional  Headquarters  refused  on  application  to  do  so.  This 
Kvas  the  proposition  of  the  Indiana  Department,  as  the  most 
effective  means  to  the  end  sought — a  reorganization,  before 
the  Order  should  fall  into  a  demoralization  from  which  pos 
sible  death  might  ensue. 

It  was  understood  we  were  to  await  the  development 
of  events.  General  Wagner,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  to  com 
municate  with  National  Headquarters,  ascertain  the  true 
condition  of  things  there,  and  act  accordingly,  advising 
General  McKean  and  the  other  Departments,  In  the  mean 
time  the  dedication  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  of  Indiana 
claimed  our  attention.  After  that  great  event  we  again 
took  up  the  one  issue  that  now  seemed  to  prevail  through 
out  the  whole  Order — its  demoralization  and  the  deposition 
of  its  Conimander-in-chief. 

For  information  we  wrote  to  General  Wagner,  and  re 
ceived  from  him  the  following  reply: 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       95 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Pennsylvania, 
"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  No.  204  South  S, 

"Philadelphia,  Sept.  7th,  1867. 
"Major  0.  M.    Wilson,  Adjutant-General,   Department   of 

Indiana,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

"Dear  Major: — Yours  of  the  5th  inst.  is  received.  I 
wrote  twice  to  General  Hurlbut  about  that  general  conven 
tion,  but  have  no  reply  to  either  letter. 

"We  in  Pennsylvania  have  voted  Army  Headquarters, 
as  at  present  constituted,  worse  than  useless,,  and  endeavor 
to  run  our  organization  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  our 
Constitution  without  interference  from  Springfield. 

"Nobody  seems  to  know  when  that  general  convention 
will  ])o  ('ailed,  but  when  it  does  mnet  we  must  put  some  one 
at  the  helm  who  will  give  some  little  attention  to  the  gen 
eral  business  of  our  army.  In  this  rests  my  only  hope  for 
the  future  usefulness  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
T  should  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you  again. 
"'Your  truly, 

"Louis  WAGXER/' 

General  Wagner  correctly  expressed  the  situation.  Tt 
was  simply  impossible  to  get  an  answer  from  Xational 
Headquarters  to  any  letter,  not  only  upon  this,  but  upon 
every  other  subject.  General  Mclvean  was  in  close  touch 
with  all  the  representatives  of  that,  conference,  and  with 
others  whose  wishes  and  feelings  were  in  accord.  He  was 
advised  to  act.  He  had  prepared  his  order  summoning  the 
encampment,  when  a  letter  to  him,  presumably  from  Gen 
eral  WagneT,  called  a  halt.  A  letter  of  the  same  tenor  was 


96        J7 \xlnry  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the   Republic. 

"received  from  General  Wagnetr  at  Indiana  Headquarters  as 
follows : 

"Unofficial. 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Pennsylvania, 

"Grand  Army  of  the.  Republic, 

"Philadelphia,  Nov.  2d,  1867. 
"Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

"Dear  Comrade: — Yours  of  October  28th  received.  I 
think  we  will  get  a  convention  in  January;  if  General  Hurl- 
but  don't  call  it  then,  'off  with  his  head/  1  write  to-day  to 
Stephenson  for  information  as  to  date,  so  that  we  can  call 
State  encampment  without  interfering  with  the  General 
Convention.  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  success.  We  are 
doing  equally  well. 
"Yours  truly, 

"Louis  WAGNER/' 

Awakened  at  last  to  a  sense  of  his  duty,  the  second  Na 
tional  Encampment  was  ordered  by  General  Hurlbut  to  as 
semble  in  Philadelphia  on  the  15th  day  of  January,  1868. 
It  w^as  composed  of  120  delegates.  And  it  was  fortunate 
for  the  life  of  the  Order  that  it  was  held  in  Philadelphia, 
the  headquarters  of  and  surrounded  by  other  well-organized 
Departments.  Had  they  waited  for  their  organization  upon 
the  first  administration  of  the  national  body,  there  would 
not  have  been  a  State  represented  there.  Eleven  of  those 
Departments  had  been  started  at  Pittsburg  in  September, 
186G.  The  sessions  were  held  in  Independence  Hall.  What 
little  work  was  done  will  be  mentioned  hereafter.  General 
John  A.  Logan  was  elected  Commander-in-chief,  and  the 
Order  started  again  with  renewed  energy  and  new  blood. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       97 

It  would  seem,  when  all  the  facts  are  considered,  that 
Indiana  had  again,  and  for  the  second  time,  been  chiefly 
instrumental  in  preserving  the  organization.  Yet  it  was  at 
'this  encampment  that  men  sought  to  destroy  the  very  prin 
ciples  which  had  enabled  the  Department  to  vivify  and  sus 
tain  the  Order. 

On  the  16th  day  of  September,  1867,  District  Command 
ers  were  requested  to  meet  at  Terre  Haute  on  October  2d, 
at  Headquarters  Post  No.  1,  District  of  Vigo,  to  consider 
measures  pertaining  to  the  welfare  and  advancement  of  the 
"army";  and  on  the  9th  of  October,  by  General  Order,  No. 
7,  upon  request  of  the1.  District  Commanders,  "a  convention 
of  this  Department"  was  called  to  assemble  at  Department 
Headquarters,  October  22d,  1867,  "to  receive  and  adopt  an 
additional  degree  for  our  Ordcir  in  this  Department,  .  .  . 
and  the  transaction  of  such  other  business  that  may  be 
brought  before  the  assembly." 

The  proceedings  of  this  Department  Encampment  would 
doubtless  to-day  bel  considered  an  unwarranted  interference 
with  the  sovereign  right  of  a  member  of  Congress,  and  an 
impertinence  for  the  soldier  to  express  his  political  convic 
tions;  nevertheless,  Indiana  soldiers  stood  for  all  these  res 
olutions  expressed,  and  indorsed  the  plan  and  policy  of  the 
Department  at  that  day.  And  I  venture  whether  in  or  out 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  they  endorse  to-day 
every  sentiment  uttered  then. 

These  proceedings  were  published  and  distributed  to  all 
the  Posts.  Theiy  were,  in  part,  as  follows: 


98       History  of  tlic   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"\YIIEUEAS,  By  the  Act  of  Congress  approved 
bounties,  additional  bounties,  and  pensions  were  allowed  the 
soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  army,  navy,  and  marine  forces 
of  the  United  States  in  the:  late  war  for  the  suppression  of 
treason;  and 

"WHEREAS,  Said  bounties.,  additional  bounties,  etc.,  havo 
•been  passed  upon,  and  allowed  by  proper  authority,  but 
from  some  cause  unknown  to  us  the  payment  thereof  is 
'delayed  or  withheld  from  a  large  number  of  the  soldiers 
and  seamen  of  the  several  States,  to  the  great  injury  of 
the  needy.  Therefore, 

"lie  It  Resolved,  By  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic, 
Department  of  Indiana,  in  Delegate  Convention  assembled, 
that  the  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress  from  the 
State  of  Indiana  be  requested  to  inquire  into  the  cause  or 
causes  of  the  delay  in  the  payment  of  said  bounties,  addi 
tional  bounties,  etc.,  and  should  it  appear  upon  such  in 
quiry  that  further  legislation  is  necessary  to  carry  into 
effect  the  former  act  of  Congress  on  the  subject,  we  earnestly 
request  that  such  further  legislation  may  be  promptly  had 
as  will  at  once  ensure  the  payment  of  said  bounties  with 
out  delay. 

"In  obedience  to  the  foregoing  resolutions,  the  under 
signed,  a  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  herewith 
transmit  for  your  information  and  consideration  a  copy  of 
said  resolutions,  and  respectfully  but  urgently  request  that 
you  will  see  to  it  that  our  comrades  are  no  longer  deprived 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.       99 

of  the  benefits  of  that  which  they  have  so  nobly  earned,  and 
for  which  they  have  sacrificed  so  much. 
"Your  obedient  servants, 

"JOIIX    N.    FRANKLIN, 

"LEWIS  Guess, 
"F.   M.  HOWARD, 
"R.   II.  LLTSON, 
^NATHAN'  Km  BALL/' 

(''To  Major- General  Kiniball,  Commanding  l/ie  Department 

of  Indiana^  Grand  Army  of  the  R&public}  and  Comrades 

of  the  Convention: 

"Your  Committee  on  plan  and  policy,  to  be  adopted  by 
the  Army  in  this  Department,  respectfully  submit  the  fol 
lowing  statement  of  our  policy. 

"THEODORE  W.  McCoy, 

"Chairman. 

" WHEREAS,  The  National  Convention  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  which  assembled  at  the  city  of  Indi 
anapolis,  on  the  20th  day  of  November,  186G,  did,  in  its 
resolutions  adopted  on  the  21st  day  of  the  same  month, 
declare,  in  substance,  that  the  Grand  Army  has  a  policy. 
Therefore, 

"Be  It  Resolved,  By  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
of  the  Department  of  Indiana,  in  convention  assembled, 
that  the  principles  declared  in  the  following  resolutions  are 
those  which  were  the  mainspring  of  our  actions  in  the,  past, 
and  by  which  we  are  to  be  governed  in  the  future: 

"llcxolrcd,  1st,  That  the  Grand  Army  of  the1  Republic 
is  organized  to  maintain  in  civil  life  those  great  principles 


100     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

for  which  it  stood  in  arms  under  the  National  Flag;  that 
it  stands  pledged  to  crush  out  active  treason;  to  advance 
and  support  active  loyalty;  to  secure  sound  constitutional 
liberty  to  all  men;  and  to  vindicate  everywhere,  and  at  all 
ftimes,  the  full  and  complete  rights  of  every  loyal  American 
citizen,  against  all  combinations  of  force  or  fraud,  that  may 
attempt  to  deny  or  deprive  them  of  such  rights. 

"Resolved,  2d,  That  we  pledge  all  the  power  and  influ 
ence  which,  as  individuals  or  as  an  association,  we  can  legit 
imately  wield,  in  the  most  especial  manner,  to  those  gallant 
men  who  stood  fast  by  the  country  in  the  hour  of  its  agony, 
in  the  rebellious  States;  and  who,  through  all  manner  of 
Josses  and  injuries — persecutions  by  force  and  persecutions 
under  color  of  law — maintained  their  integrity  and  vindi 
cated  their  loyalty;  and  we  solemnly  declare  that  no  power 
that  we  can  use  shall  be  neglected  until  they  are  thoroughly 
and  completely  protected  in  the  active  exercise  of  every 
right  of  American  Freemen,  through  the  entire  country 
over  which  our  Flag  floats. 

"Resolved,  3d,  That  as  our  Government  owes  its  very 
.existence  to  those  who  stood  faithfully  by  it  in  the  hour  of 
its  peril,  its  destinies  are  safe  in  the  same  trustworthy 
hands;  and,  'therefore,  loyal  men  should  alone  control  the 
affairs  of  this  country. 

''Resolved,,  4th,  That  as  the  rebels  have1,  by  shooting 
down  in  cold  blood  not  only  soldiers  but  citi/cns,  whose  only 
offense  has  been  fidelity  to  the  Government,  too  clearly  indi 
cated  their  policy  to  be  thalt  of  unceasing  warfare  against 
those  who  have  either  direct! v  or  indirectly  contributed  to 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     101 

the  success  of  our  arms,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  those  in  author 
ity  to  put  forth  the  most  strenuous  efforts  to  bring  to  speedy 
punishment  all  those  who  are  implicated  in  these  atrocities, 
and  that  those  who  are  interposing  obstacles  in  the  way  of 
just kt'  in  such  cases,  are  alike  the  enemies  of  society  and 
the  country. 

"Resolved,  5th,  That,  Congress  should,  in  justice  and 
right,  pass  a  law  further  equalizing  the  .bounties  of  soldiers 
and  sailors,  and  should  devise,  if  possible,  some  more  speedy 
manner  of  paying  the  same. 

"Resolved,  6th,  That  as  the  National  Debt  was  neces 
sarily  incurred  by  the  General  Government  in  its  successful 
efforts  to  crush  an  unholy  armed  rebellion  against  its 
authority,  and  as  the  debt  was  largely  increased  by  the1  fac 
tious  opposition  of  its  enemies  in  the  North,  who  threw 
every  impediment  which  they  could  devise  in  the  pathway 
of  the  armed  forces  of  the  Union,  and  because  it  is  the  price 
which  was  paid  for  the  inestimable  blessing  of  civil  liberty 
and  the  maintenance  of  the  Government,  it  is  a  sacred  obli 
gation  which  the  nation  must  not  violate,  and  we  stand 
pledged  to  oppose  every  attempt,  from  whatever  source,  or 
in  whatever  form  it  may  come,  to  sully  the  Nation's  honor 
by  repudiation. 

"Resolved,  7th,  That  it  is  just  and  right  that  those 
who,  by  their  treason,  involved  the  nation  in  debt,  should 
bear  a  portion  of  the  burdkm  of  payment,  and  that  to  secure 
this  end  we  believe  the  taxes  and  tariffs  should  for  the  pres 
ent  be  equalized  and  reduced  to  such  an  extent  as  to  pro 
duce  a  revenue  sufficient  only  to  meet  the  current  expenses 
.of  the  Government,  and  pay  the  interest  on  the  public  debt. 


104     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

ers  of  said  Districts/  the  following  Commanders  are  here 
with  announced: 

"I.  First  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Posey, 
iVanderburg,  Warrick,  Spencer,  Perry,  Pike,  Gibson,  Knox, 
and  Davies;  Commander,  Comrade  H.  M.  Scott,  headquar 
ters,  Petersburg,  Pike  County. 

"II.  Second  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Dubois,  Crawford,  Harrison,  Floyd,  Clark,  Scott,  Wash 
ington,  Orange,  Martin,  and  Jackson;  Commander,  Com- 
.rade  George  F.  Huckeby,  headquarters,  New  Albany,  Floyd 
County. 

"III.  Third  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Jef 
ferson,  Switzerland,  Ohio,  Dearborn,  Ripley,  Jennings,  Bar 
tholomew,  and  Decatur;  Commander,  E.  A.  Litson,  head 
quarters,  Madison,  Jefferson  County. 

"IV.  Fourth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Shel 
by,  Rush,  Franklin,  Union,  Fayette,  Wayne,  and  Hancock; 
Commander,  E.  H.  Wolfe,  headquarters,  Rushville,  Rush 
County. 

"V.  Fifth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Brown, 
Morgan,  Johnson,  Marion,  Hendricks,  and  Putnam;  Com- 
inlander,  George  F.  McGinnis,  headquarters,  Indianapolis. 

"VI.  Sixth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Sul 
livan,  Greene,  Owen,  Clay,  Vigo,  Parke,  Vermillion,  Mon 
roe,  and  Lawrence;  Commander,  T.  C.  Crawford,  headquar 
ters,  Terre  Haute. 

"VII.  Seventh  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Fountain,  Montgomery,  Boone,  Clinton,  Tippecanoe,  War 
ren,  Benton,  and  Carroll;  Commander,  R.  H.  Milroy,  head 
quarters,  Delphi,  Carroll  County. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     105 

"VIII.  Eighth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Hamilton,  Madison,  Grant,  Tipton,  Howard,  Miami,  Cass, 
and  Wabash;  Commander,  Wm.  O'Brien,  headquarters, 
Noblesville,  Hamilton  County. 

"IX.  Ninth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Henry,  Delaware,  Randolph,  Jay,  Blackford,  Wells,  Adams, 
and  Allen ;  Commander,  Thomas  M.  Browne,  headquarters, 
•Winchester,  Eandolph  County. 

"X.  Tenth  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Kos- 
ciusko,  Whitley,  Huntington,  Noble,  De  Kalb,  Steuben,  La 
Grange,  and  Elkhart;  Commander,  0.  T.  Chamberlin,  head 
quarters,  Elkhart,  Elkhart  County. 

"XI.  Eleventh  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
•White,  Newton,  Jasper,  Pulaski,  Fulton,  Marshall,  Starke, 
St.  Joseph,  La  Porte,  Porter,  and  Lake;  Commander,  0.  S. 
Witherill,  headquarters,  South  Bend. 

"II.  All  Posts  in  this  Department  before  they  can  re 
ceive  the  Department,  or  second  degree,  adopted  at  the 
State  Encampment  October  23d,  1867,  will  have  to  conform 
to  Article  XIL,  Sec.  2  and  Article  XIV.,  Sees.  1  and  2, 
Constitution  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  District  Com 
manders  will  be  held  responsible  to  their  District  for  fail 
ing  to  enforce  these  provisions  in  any  Post  that  claims  to 
have  a  right  on  the  District  roster.  Posts  failing  to  com 
ply  will  be  reported  to  headquarters. 

"III.  No  comrade  will  be  permitted  to  advance  to  the 
second  degree  whose  dues  are  not  paid  to  his  Post,  and 
whose  position  in  his  Post  is  not  such  as  to  justify  his  com 
rades  in  recommending  him  for  promotion. 


106     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"IV.  Counties  heretofore  known  as  Districts  will  be 
classed  hereafter  as  Divisions.,  and  the  officers  thereof,  and 
of  Posts  composing  the  Districts  herein  designated,  will  re 
port  to  their  respective  District  Commanders  for  further 
orders. 

"V.  District  Commanders  will  require  the  provisions 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic  to 
be  strictly  enforced,  and  in  all  respects  comply  with  the  in 
struction  thereof. 

"VI.  Each  District  Commander,  as  soon  as  possible, 
will  report  his  organization,  its  condition  and  strength,  and 
its  wants,  and  designate  what  Posts  are  entitled  to  receive 
the  Department,  or  second  degree,  adopted  at  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  this  Department,  Oct.  24th,  1867. 

"By  order  of 

"NATHAN  KIMBALL, 

"Commanding  Department. 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 

"Adjutant-General." 

The  above  order  is  given  in  full.  As  to  the  second  par 
agraph,  it  don't  read  or  sound  like  any  I  ever  wrote.  Had 
I  been  asked  before  reaching  it  in  this  writing,  if  such  an 
order  was  ever  made,  or  existed,  I  would  have  said,  emphat 
ically,  "No;  never  was  such  an  order  written."  I  have  no 
knowledge  of  any  "Department"  or  "second  degree"  made 
by  any  encampment  in  Indiana.  I  never  knew  or  heard  of 
a  "Department"  degree.  If  it  sprung  out  of  that  meeting 
of  District  Commanders,  and  the  State  Encampment  was 
then  called  upon  to  adopt  what  they  did,  no  record  can  be 
found  thereof.  I  never  saw  such  degree  administered.  And 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      107 

again,  such  degree  could  not  have  been  promulgated  as  a 
.part  of  the  secret  work,  unless  authorized  by  the  national 
body,  as  there  was  a  few  years  later. 

But  this  "second  degree"  never  took  root;  no  such  degree 
was  ever  grafted  on  our  system.  I  cannot  explain  the  exist 
ence  of  this  order.  At  this  time,  .however,  there  was  in 
the  Department  a  strong  political  party  among  the  more 
prominent  soldiers  in  the  State.  They  were  preparing  for 
the  campaign  of  18G8,  in  which  the  Grand  Army,  in  Indi 
ana,  became  a  potent  factor,  and  carried  its  favorites  into 
office.  It  may  be  this  "whilom"  "second  degree"  was  cre 
ated  to  that  end ;  if  so,  I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  fact. 
The  official  orders  of  Major  0.  T.  Chamberlin,  Command 
ing  10th  District,  and  Major  0.  S.  Witherill,  Commanding 
1st  District,  and  the  order  of  General  E.  H.  Milroy,  Com 
manding  7th  District,  as  late  as  November,  1867,  make  no 
mention  of  the  "second  degree."  There  is  not  a  word  or 
letter  in  my  possession  having  reference  to  this  "degree.7' 
I  do  not  remember  of  ever  receiving  an  inquiry  concerning 
it.  I  have  no  knowledge  of  what  it  was,  what  grade  or 
class  it  sought  to  establish,  as  a  part  of  the  Department 
system.  If  it  was  anything  it  was  political,  which,  despite 
all  assertions  to  the  contrary,  the  Department  of  Indiana 
was  never  found  in  "innocuous  desuetude." 

Again,  there  was  no  need  of  a  degree.  The  campaign 
of  1868  was  fought  openly.  Colonel  Conrad  Baker  was 
candidate  for  Governor,  and  no  concealment  was  made  or 
effected  by  Grand  Army  men,  when  called  to  rally  again 
around  their  "Old  Commander,"  General  U.  S.  Grant,  for 
President. 


108     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

I  would  not  have  this  order  considered  a  part  of  the 
history  of  our  Department.  It  '$>  a  derelict. 

Captain  James  E.  Carnahan,  who  had  been  from  the 
first  in  1866  active  as  an  aide-de-camp  in  organizing  the 
Order  in  Tippecanoe  County,  and  elsewhere,  would  proba 
bly,  of  all  other  men,  have  known  of  such  degree,  whether 
in  the  Encampment  or  not.  He  has  no  such  recollection. 
Under  the  Department  Order  of  Nov.  1st,  1866,  Captain 
Carnahan  was  substituted  for  Captain  Stein,  who  was  pre 
vented  from  serving  by  reason  of  professional  duties.  As 
District  Commander,  Carnahan  became  the  mascot  of  the 
soldier.  He  quickened  the  energies  of  the  icboys"  and 
roused  in  them  an  enthusiasm  for  the  organization.  Eight 
strong  Posts  were  established  in  his  county,  chiefly  the  re 
sult  of  his  work.  He  was  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  first 
{National  Encampment  in  November,  1866,  and  there  his 
methods  and  practical  knowledge  found  ready  support  in 
the  work  of  that  Encampment.  Through  all  our  campaigns 
in  1866,  1868,  and  1870,  his  skill,  energy,  and  zeal  in  organ 
ization  greatly  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  organiza 
tion  itself,  and  the  Grand  Army  felt  this  upheaval  not  only 
in  our  own  State,  but  elsewhere.  His  career  in  the  Grand 
Army  in  those  days  was  the  primer  work  for  his  after  life. 
His  genius  and  magnetic  touch  with  the  "boys"  carried 
him  beyond  the  limits  of  our  State,  from  a  Department 
aide  to  that  in  after  years  of  Inspector-General,  and  then 
for  two  terms  as  Judge  Advocate-General  on  the  National 
.Staff — under  the  reorganization,  and  later  to  the  position 
of  Department  Commander  of  our  State,  to  which  position 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      109 

lie  was  re-elected  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Encamp 
ment.  He  was  also  made  Provisional  Department  Com 
mander  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  upon  the  reorganiza 
tion  of  the  Order.  He  has  also  honored  himself,  as  well  as 
the  Order,  as  the  author  of  a  Jfe^nal  Digest  of  the  opin 
ions  and  rulings  of  the  Judge  ""'Advocates-General  of  the 
Order.  For  this  work  of  labor,  and  doubtless  love,  he  never 
received  any  compensation,  even  for  expenditures  made — 
(another  instance  of  the  national  organization  taking  and 
iusing  something  without  remuneration,  but  charging  for 
everything  it  produces — or  produced  at  that  period.  This 
digest  was  not  only  approved  and  adopted  by  the  National 
Encampment  at  Denver,  but  it  became  the  foundation-stone 
upon  which  ex-Commander-in-chief  Beath  built  his  "Blue 
Book,"  or  what  is  or  was  called  the  "History  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Bepublic." 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  speak  of  my  old  comrade  and  asso 
ciate  in  this  Order,  now  known  as  General  Carnahan,  he 
having  obtained  the  commission  and  rank  of  Brigadier- 
General,  as  Adjutant-General  of  Indiana,  and  Commander 
of  the  National  Guard  of  the  State,  and  thus  allude  to  his 
services  as  an  aide  in  our  first  organization  of  the  Grand 
Army,  for  it  was  then  and  there  as  an  organizer  of  bodies 
of  men,  he  started  at  the  first  round  in  the  ladder,  and 
to-day  stands  at  the  pinnacle,  the  Supreme  Commander  of 
one  of  the  greatest  brotherhoods  in  America. 
»  A  man,  therefore,  of  Carnahan's  taste  for  degree  work 
would  have  had  some  knowledge  of  a  degree,  if  any  such 
had  been  introduced  in  our  State,  as  this  General  Order, 


110     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

No.  8,  contemplated,  and  because  of  his  want  of  any  knowl 
edge  of  such  degree,  its  mention  in  this  General  Order  is 
simply  intensified  and  deepened  in  mystery. 

Many  other  comrades  who  gave  their  time  and  energies 
to  the  organization  in  those  years  rose  to  distinction  and 
fame,  but  have  since  crossed  the  Great  Redoubt,  and  re 
united  with  the  "boys,"  whose  immortality  was  won  on  the 
.battlefield.  Others  are  left — a  few — to  close  up  the  ranks, 
with  their  faces  to  the  front,  only  waiting  for  the  last  mus 
ter  and  "Taps." 

It  was  left  to  General  Foster  to  command  in  the  great 
campaign  of  18G8,  when  he  was  again  brought  to  the  front 
by  the  second  annual  Encampment  of  the  Department  on 
January  29th,  1868,  and  elected  Department  Commander. 
iGreat  interest  was  taken  in  the  Order  at  this  time.  It  had 
become  strong  and  forceful.  Its  influence  was  felt  through 
out  the  State,  sufficiently  so  to  provoke  rivalry  and  struggle 
(for  position  in  its  ranks.  But  I  never  heard  it  charged  that 
(the  Grand  Army  was  being  used  for  any  one  person's  polit 
ical  aggrandizement.  General  Foster's  first  "General  Order" 
soon  brought  all  members  together  in  generous,  friendly 
rivalry. 

The  Order  follows: 

"Headquarters  Department  of  Indiana, 

"Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

"Adjutant-General's  Office, 
"Indianapolis,  Ind.,  January  30th,  1868. 
"General  Orders,  No.  1,  3d  S. 

"I.  By  virtue  of  an  election  in  convention  assembled 
at  Indianapolis,  January  29th,  1868,  in  pursuance  of  Gen- 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      1 1 1 

eral  Orders,  Xo.  9,  2d  Series,  dated  January  llth,  18t>8, 
I  hereby  assume  command  of  this  Department. 

"II.  Our  fellowship  in  the  "Grand  Army  of  the  Eepub- 
lic"  can  only  be  perpetuated  by  an  earnest  and  sincere  co 
operation,  individually,  and  as  Posts,  with  the  efforts  of 
your  officers,  chosen  by  yourselves  in  this  great  Brotherhood, 
and  your  Grand  Commander  asks  that  whatever  will  direct 
the  prosperity  and  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the 
Grand  Army  be  willingly  and  cheerfully  accorded. 

"III.  The  Adjutant-General  having,  by  the  late  Na 
tional  Convention  convened  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  January 
15th,  1868,  been  made  an  officer  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Commander,  such  officer  is  herewith  announced, 
with  the  "Staff"  elected  by  the  Convention  of  this  Depart 
ment,  on  January  29th,  18G8 : 

'  "Senior     Vice     Grand     Commander:       Major-General 
Charles  Cruft,  Terre  Haute. 

"Junior  Vice)  Grand  Commander :  Colonel  George  Hum 
phrey,  Fort  Wayne. 

"Inspector-General:   General  Thos.  \V.  Bennett,  Liberty. 

"Quartermaster-General :  Colonel  Samuel  Merrill, 
Indianapolis. 

"Surgeon-General:     Dr.  L.  D.  Waterman,  Indianapolis. 

"Grand  Chaplain:     Eev.  L.  H.  Jainieson,  Indianapolis. 

"IV.  Adjutant-General:  Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  Indi 
anapolis. 

"By  direction  of  the  Constitution  of  the  "Grand  Army/' 
they  will  be  respected  and  obeyed  accordingly. 

"E.  S.  FOSTER, 
"Official."  "Commanding  Department. 


112     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  character  and  influence  of  the  Order  at  this  time, 
in  Indiana,  may  be  judged  by  the  prominence  of  the  men 
chosen  for  the  "Grand  Council."  They  were  active,  espe 
cially  as  counselors,  and  were  in  close  fellowship  with  head 
quarters.  The  year  1868  produced  the  closest  and  hardest 
struggle  to  retain  the  supremacy  of  the  soldier,  politically 
speaking,  that  Indiana  had  ever  experienced.  Though  Na 
tional  and  State  candidates  were  soldiers,  it  is  a  fact  that 
a  certain  class  turned  aside — chiefly  from  local  influences, 
personal  dislikes  produced  by  national  issues — distrustful 
as  well  as  jealous  of  the  soldier,  whom  this  class  charged  as 
an  excuse  for  their  conduct,  with  a  desire  on  his  part  to 
appropriate  the  orifices,  and  thus  militarize  the  Government. 

To  be  sure,  the  soldiers  generally  lined  up  with  the  Ee- 
publican  party,  because  they  were  intelligent  and  were  not 
to  be  influenced  by  evil  counsels  against  a  party  which  they 
knew  had  sustained,  and  would  in  the  future  carry  out  from 
'principle  every  pledge  made  them  during  the  war.  At  the 
same  time,  it  may  as  well  be  admitted,  we  had  to  carry  on 
bur  fight  absolutely  against  the  dictation  of  a  certain  line 
to  pursue,  dictated  from  National  Headquarters,  which,  if 
adopted,  would  have  been  our  disintegration,  as  I  shall 
notice  hereafter.  However,  it  may  be  mentioned  here  that 
we  won,  though  by  a  bare  majority,  electing  Colonel  Conrad 
Baker  governor. 

General  Order,  No.  2,  3d  Series,  dated  January  30th, 
1868,  which  follows,  anticipated  this  campaign.  There  was 
no  attempt  made  to  conceal  the  positive  fact  that,  while  we 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      1 13 

advocated  and  asserted  charity  as  a  cardinal  tenet  of  the 
Order,  we  practiced  fraternity  and  politics,  and  so  long  as 
the  soldiers  themselves  made  no  protest — and  the  rule  has 
over  been  and  is  observed  to  this  day — there  was  no  moral 
/or  legal  obligation  to  prevent  the  exercise  of  the  sovereign 
right  in  him  to  avow  and  execute  his  own  will  in  what 
ever  way  he  thought  best.  The  election,  then,  was  held  in 
October,  and  I  merely  mention  in  passing,  if  any  soldier 
votes  were  lost  it  was  because  the  soldier  was  out  of  the 
State. 

The  order  follows : 

"I.  The  Grand  Council  of  Administration,  elected  by 
the  convention  of  this  Department,  January  29th,  1868, 
•and  the  Executive  Committee,  chosen  at  the  same  time  and 
iplace,  are  herewith  announced  for  the  information  of  this 
•Department : 

Nathan  Kimball,  Indianapolis.- 
Walter  Q.  Gresham,  New  Albany. 
George  W.  Lambert,  Terre  Haute. 
John  E.  Cravens,  Madison. 
Thomas  M.  Browne,  Winchester. 

"II.     Executive  Committee: 

"First  Congressional  District:    Wm.  F.  Wood,  Kockport. 

"Second  Congressional  District:  W.  Q.  Gresham,  New 
Albany. 

"Third  Congressional  District:    M.  C.  Garber,  Madison. 

"Fourth  Congressional  District:  W.  W.  Dudle}7,  Cen- 
terville. 

"Fifth  Congressional  District:  E.  F.  Hitter,  Indian 
apolis. 


112     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  character  and  influence  of  the  Order  at  this  time, 
in  Indiana,  may  be  judged  by  the  prominence  of  the  men 
chosen  for  the  "Grand  Council."  They  were  active,  espe 
cially  as  counselors,  and  were  in  close  fellowship  with  head 
quarters.  The  year  1868  produced  the  closest  and  hardest 
struggle  to  retain  the  supremacy  of  the  soldier,  politically 
speaking,  that  Indiana  had  ever  experienced.  Though  Na 
tional  and  State  candidates  were  soldiers,  it  is  a  fact  that 
a  certain  class  turned  aside — chiefly  from  local  influences, 
•personal  dislikes  produced  by  national  issues — distrustful 
as  well  as  jealous  of  the  soldier,  whom  this  class  charged  as 
an  excuse  for  their  conduct,  with  a  desire  on  his  part  to 
appropriate  the  offices,  and  thus  militarize  the  Government. 

To  be  sure,  the  soldiers  generally  lined  up  with  the  Ee- 
publican  party,  because  they  were  intelligent  and  were  not 
to  be  influenced  by  evil  counsels  against  a  party  which  they 
knew  had  sustained,  and  would  in  the  future  carry  out  from 
'principle  every  pledge  made  them  during  the  war.  At  the 
same  time,  it  may  as  well  bo  admitted,  we  had  to  carry  on 
bur  fight  absolutely  against  the  dictation  of  a  certain  line 
to  pursue,  dictated  from  National  Headquarters,  which,  if 
adopted,  would  have  been  our  disintegration,  as  I  shall 
notice  hereafter.  However,  it  may  be  mentioned  here  that 
*we  won,  though  by  a  bare  majority,  electing  Colonel  Conrad 
Baker  governor. 

General  Order,  No.  2,  3d  Series,  dated  January  30th, 
1868,  which  follows,  anticipated  this  campaign.  There  was 
no  attempt  made  to  conceal  the  positive  fact  that,  while  we 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      113 

advocated  and  asserted  charity  as  a  cardinal  tenet  of  the 
Order,  we  practiced  fraternity  and  politics,  and  so  long  as 
the  soldiers  themselves  made  no  protest — and  the  rule  has 
ever  been  and  is  observed  to  this  day — there  was  no  moral 
lor  legal  obligation  to  prevent  the  exercise  of  the  sovereign 
right  in  him  to  avow  and  execute  his  own  will  in  what 
ever  way  he  thought  best.  The  election,  then,  was  held  in 
October,  and  I  merely  mention  in  passing,  if  any  soldier 
votes  were  lost  it  was  because  the  soldier  was  out  of  the 
State. 

The  order  follows : 

"I.  The  Grand  Council  of  Administration,,  elected  by 
the  convention  of  this  Department,  January  29th,  1868, 
•and  the  Executive  Committee,  chosen  at  the  same  time  and 
iplace,  are  herewith  announced  for  the  information  of  this 
Department : 

Nathan  Kimball,  Indianapolis.. 
Walter  Q.  Gresham,  New  Albany. 
George  W.  Lambert,  Terre  Haute. 
John  E.  Cravens,  Madison. 
Thomas  M.  Browne,  Winchester. 

"II.     Executive  Committee: 

"First  Congressional  District:    Wm.  F.  Wood,  Kockport. 

"Second  Congressional  District:  W.  Q.  Gresham,  New 
Albany. 

"Third  Congressional  District :    M.  C.  Garber,  Madison. 

"Fourth  Congressional  District:  W.  W.  Dudley,  Cen- 
terville. 

"Fifth  Congressional  District:  E.  F.  Ritter,  Indian 
apolis. 


114      History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"Sixth  Congressional  District:  F.  C.  Crawford,  Terre 
Haute. 

"Seventh  Congressional  District:  A.  0.  Benm,  La 
fayette. 

"Eighth  Congressional  District:  James  Pratt,  Logans- 
port. 

"Ninth  Congressional  District:  Samuel  A.  Kelsey, 
Knightstown. 

i       "Tenth    Congressional    District:      0.    T.    Chamberlin, 
Elkhart, 

"Eleventh  Congressional  District:  H.  S.  Foote,  Craw- 
fordsville. 

"By  order  of 

"E.  S.  FOSTER, 
"Department  Commander. 

"0.  M.  WILSOX, 

"Adjutant-General." 

The  Honorable  A.  H.  Conner  was  chairman  of  the  Re- 
jpublican  State  Central  Committee  in  this  year.  He  was  a 
deader  of  men — magnetic,  resourceful,  an  engine  of  energy, 
true  to  his  friends  and  his  party,  and  fearless  in  the  right. 
With  him  Department  Headquarters  was  in  close  touch, 
and  many  days  and  nights  the  "boys"  were  in  the  saddle, 
moving  upon  some  outpost  of  the  enemy,  that  had  been  un 
masked  by  Conner. 

The  strength  of  the  Department  on  May  1st,  1868,  may 
be  judged  from  the  General  Orders,  No.  4,  3d  Series,  which 
may,  be  likened  to  a  Commander  unmasking  his  batteries 
and  deploying  his  column  in  line  of  battle. 


Uixlwy  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      115 

"I.  The  division  of  a  Department  into  Districts  hav 
ing  been  abolished  by  the  National  Convention  convened  at 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  January  loth,  1868,  District  Command 
ers  are  herewith  relieved  from  duty  in  their  respective 
Districts. 

"II.  General  Order,  ]STo.  — ,  dated  Headquarters  Grand 
Army  of  the)  Republic,  Washington,  D.  C.,  February,  1868, 
directing  that  all  Posts  in  every  Department  be  classified  in 
numerical  order,  according  to  the  date  of  their  organization, 
the  following  numbered  Posts  are  herewith  arranged  accord 
ingly,  and  will  hereafter  be  known  by  the  number  herein 
designated. v 

[The  list  of  Posts  that  follows  was  prepared  from  re 
ports  received  at  Department  Headquarters  in  response  to 
paragraph  5  of  Department  Orders,  Xo.  3,  3d  Series,  dated 
Feb.  6th,  1868,  long  before  Xational  Orders,  so  directing, 
were  received.  I  think  the  suggestion  went  from  Indiana 
Department.  We  found  it  necessary  to  unwind,  and  we 
had  some  correspondence  with  General  Logan  on  the  ques 
tion.  Paragraph  5  was  as  follows:  "Each  Post  will  for 
ward  to  these  headquarters  a  roster  of  its  officers  elected  for 
thei  ensuing  term,  together  with  a  full  list  of  members  be 
longing  to  the  Post.  Communications  will  henceforth  be 
addressed  to  Encampment  officers.  Changes  occurring  among 
officers  in  Posts  will  be  promptly  reported  to  Department 
Headquarters,  that  no  error  may  be  made  in  addressing  the 
proper  officer."  The  Department  roster  showing  the  date 
of  muster,  the  active  Posts  were  easily  numbered.  Many 
•weaker  Posts,  failing  to  meet  a  "special"  assessment  and 


116     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

the  additional  "per  capita"  tax,  failed  to  report,  and  thus 
lost  their  place  on  the  roster.  It  was  found,  eventually,,  to 
their  advantage,  for  they  consolidated  with  some  other  Post 
in  their  county,  and  by  thus  merging  their  fellowship,  be 
came  more  effective  and  useful.  The  stronger  and  remain 
ing  Posts  were  thus  classified,  some  of  which  were  not  the 
first  organized  in  a  county.] 

Pest  No.  1,  Floyd  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  1. 

Post  No.  1,  Clark  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  2. 

Post  No.  1,  Washington  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  3. 

Post  No.  1,  Harrison  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  4. 

Post  No.  1,  Knox  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  5. 

Post  No.  1,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  6. 

Post  No.  1,  Vigo  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  7. 

Post  No.  1,  Bartholomew  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  8. 

Post  No.  1,  Johnson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  9. 

Post  No.  2,  Johnson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  10. 

Post  No.  1,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  11. 

Post  No.  1,  Kosciusko  County,  will  be  knoAvn  as  Post 
No.  12. 

Post  No.  1,  Fountain  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  13. 

Post  No.  1,  Ripley  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  14. 

Post  No.  1,  Vanderburg  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  15. 


Ilislwy  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      117 

Post  No.  1,  Dearborn  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  16. 

Post  No.  1,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  17. 

Post  No.  1,  Tippccanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  18. 

Post  No.  1,  Boone  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  19. 

Post  No.  2,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  20. 

Post  No.  1,  Miami  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  21. 

Post  No.  1,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  22. 

Post  No.  1,  Wayne  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  23. 

Post  No.  1,  Allen  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  24. 

Post  No,  1,  Clay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  25. 

Post  No.  3,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  26. 

Post  No.  1,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  27. 

Post  No.  1,  Switzerland  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  28. 

Post  No.  1,  Howard  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  29. 

Post  No.  1,  Marshall  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  30. 

Post  No.  1,  Union  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  31. 

Post  No.  1,  Wabash  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  32. 

Post  No.  2,  Wayne  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  33. 

Post  No.  1,  Elkhart  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  34. 


118     History  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  2,  Switzerland  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  35. 

Post  No.  2,  Dearborn  County.,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  3G. 

Post  No.  1,  Monroe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  37. 

Post  No.  4,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  38. 

Post  No.  1,  Jefferson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  39. 

Post  No.  1,  Madison  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  40. 

Post  No.  2,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  41. 

Post  No.  1,  Warren  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  42. 

Po-st  No.  1,  Clay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  43. 

Post  No.  1,  Grant  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  44. 

Post  No.  2,  Jefferson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  45. 

Post  No.  3,  Johnson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  46. 

Post  No.  2,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  47. 

Post  No.  1,  Vcrmillion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  48. 

Post  No.  3,  Dearborn  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  49. 

Post  No*.  4,  Johnson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  50. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      119 

Post  No.  2,  Kosciusko  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  51. 

Post  No.  1,  Parke  Count}7,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  52. 

Post  No.  2,  Boone  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  53. 

Post  No.  3,  Boone  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  54. 

Post  No.  2,  Fountain  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  55. 

'      Post  No.  1,  Hamilton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  56. 

Post  No.  1,  Noble  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  57. 

Post  No.  1,  Jay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  58. 

Post  No.  1,  Montgomery  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  59. 

Post  No.  2,  Parke  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  60. 

Post  No.   1,  Whitley  County,  will  be  known  as   Post 
No.  61. 

Post  No.   3,  Morgan   County,   will  be  known   as   Post 
No.  62. 

Post  No.  2,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  63. 

Post  No.  4,  Boone  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  64. 

Post  No.  2,  Montgomery  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  65. 

Post  No.   1,  Putnam   County,  will  be  known   as  Post 
No.  66. 

Post  No.  2,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  67. 

Post  No.   2,   Warren   County,  will  be   known   as  Post 
No.  68. 

8- 


120     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  1,  Cass  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  69. 

Post  No.  1,  Jennings  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  70. 

Post  No.  4,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  71. 

Post  No.  2,  Allen  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  72. 

Post  No.  5,  Boone  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  73. 

Post  No.  1,  Fayette  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  74. 

Post  No.  1,  Lawrence  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  75. 

Post  No.  5,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  76. 

Post  No.  3,  Kosciusko  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  77. 

Post  No.  2,  Lawrence  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  78. 

Post  No.  1,  Clinton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  79. 

Post  No.  2,  Clinton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  80. 

Post  No.  1,  Sullivan  County,  will  bei  known  as  Post 
No.  81. 

Post  No.  1,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  82, 

Post  No.  2,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  83. 

Post  No.  3,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  84. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     121 

Post  No.  1,  La  Porte  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  85. 

Post  No.  5,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  86. 

Post  No.  2,  Bartholomew  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  87. 

Post  No.  1,  Carroll  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  88. 

Post  No.  2,  Elkhart  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  89. 

Post  No.  1,  Henry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  90. 

Post  No.  2,  Henry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  91. 

Post  No.  1,  Jackson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  92. 

Post  No.  2,  Jay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  93. 

Post  No.  5,  Johnson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  94. 

Post  No.  -4,  Kosciusko  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  95. 

Post  No.  1,  Lake  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  96. 

Post  No.  2,  Lake  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  97. 

Post  No.  2,  Miami  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  98. 

Post  No.  3,  Montgomery  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  99. 

Post  No.  4,  Montgomery  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  100. 

Post  No.  3,  Parke  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  101. 


122      History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  1,  Randolph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  102. 

Post  No.  2,  Randolph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  103. 

Post  No.  3,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  104. 

Post  No.  4,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  105. 

Post  No.  2,  Vigo  County,  will  he  known  as  Post  No.  100. 

Post  No.   2,  Wabash   County,   will  be  known   as   Post 
No.  107. 

Post  No.   1,  Dccatur   County,  will  be  known  as   Post 
No.  108. 

Post  No.    G,    Marion   County,   will   he   known   as   Post 
No.  109. 

Post  No.  3,  Lake  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  110. 

Post  No.  3,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  111. 

Post  No.   3,   Wayne   County,   will   be   known   as   Post 
No.  112. 

Post  No.  1,  De  Kalb  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  113. 

Post  No.  2,  Madison  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  114. 

Post  No.   2,   Monroe   County,   will   be   known   as   Post 
No.  115. 

Post  No.  1,  Posey  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  116. 

Post  No.  4,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  bei  known  as  Post 
No.  117. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     123 

Post  No.  5;  Tippecanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  118. 

Post  No.  3,  Vigo  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  119. 

Post  No.  2,  Grant  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  120. 

Post  No.  6,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  121. 

Post  No.  4,  Parke  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  122, 

Post  No.  7,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
Xo.  123. 

Post  No.  2,  Fayette  Count)*,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  124. 

Post  No.  2,  Carroll  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  125. 

Post  No.  1,  Franklin  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
Xo.  126. 

Post  No.  2,  \\1iitley  County,  will  1)0  known  as  Post 
Xo.  127. 

Post  No.  3,  Switzerland  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  128. 

Post  Xo.  3,  Grant  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  129. 

Post  No.  1,  Hancock  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  130. 

Post  No.  3,  Clay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  131. 

Post  No.  3,  Carroll  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  132. 

Post  No.  3,  Fountain  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  133. 


124     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  5,  Parke  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  134. 

Post  No.  8,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  135. 

Post  No.  2,  Eipley  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  136. 

Post  No.  3,  Allen  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  137. 

Post  No.  9,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  138. 

Post  No.  2,  Marshall  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  139. 

Post  No.  3,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  140. 

Post  No.  3,  Miami  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  141. 

Post  No.  10,  Marion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  142. 

Post  No.  3,  Clinton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  143. 

Post  No.  2,  Posey  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  144. 

Post  No.  2,  Hamilton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  145. 

Post  No.  1,  Warrick  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  146. 

Post  No.  2,  La  Porte  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  147. 

Post  No.  1,  Fulton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  148. 

Post  No.  3,  Jefferson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  149. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      125 

Post  No.  4,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  150. 

Post  No.  5,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  151. 

Post  No.  4,  Wayne  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  152. 

Post  No.  4,  Jefferson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  153. 

Post  No.  3,  Hamilton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  154. 

Post  No.  2,  Hancock  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  155. 

Post  No.  2,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  156. 

Post  No.  2,  Putnam  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  157. 

Post  No.  4,  Lake  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  158. 

Post  No.  1,  Perry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  159. 

Post  No.  2,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  160. 

Post  No.  3,  Warren  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  161. 

Post  No.  3,  Wabash  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  162. 

Post  No.  1,  Scott  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  163. 

Post  No.  3,  Pcsey  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  164. 

Post  No.  3,  Putnam  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  165. 


126     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  6,  Shelby  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  166. 

Post  No.  7,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  167. 

Post  No.  3,  Whitley  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  168. 

Post  No.  4,  Wabash  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  169. 

Post  No.  3,  La  Porte  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  170. 

Post  No.  3,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  171. 

Post  No.  3,  Hancock  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  172. 

Post  No.  2,  Jennings  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  173. 

Post  No.  5,  Lake  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  174. 

Post  No.  2,  Perry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  175. 

Post  No.  1,  Bush  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  176. 

Post  No.  4,  Vigo  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  1771 

Post  No.  5,  Wabash  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  178. 

Post  No.  4,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  179. 

Post  No.  5,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  180. 

Post  No.  4,  Miami  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  181. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      127 

Post  No.  2,  Scott  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  182. 

Post  No.  3,  Fayette  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  183. 

Post  No.  (>,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  184. 

Post  No.  6,  Parkc  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  185. 

Post  No.  2,  Washington  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  186. 

Post  No.  4,  Hancock  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  187. 

Post  No.  1,  Owen  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  188. 

Post  No.  1,  Spencer  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  189. 

Post  No.  1,  White  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  190. 

Post  No.  2,  White  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  101. 

Post  No.  3,  Washington  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  192. 

Post  No.  4,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  193. 

Post  No.  1,  Porter  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  194. 

Post  No.  3,  Jay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  195. 

Post  No.  5,  Vigo  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  196. 

Post  No.  5,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  197. 

Post  No.  2,  Porter  County,  will  he  known  as  Post 
No.  198. 

Post  No.  3,  White  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  199. 


128     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  7,  Shelby,  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  200. 

Post  No.  2,  Cass  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  201. 

Post  No.  1,  Martin  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  202. 

Post  No.  6,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  203. 

Post  No.  4,  Washington  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  204. 

Post  No.  2,  Eush  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  205. 

Post  No.  2,  Franklin  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  206. 

Post  No.  3,  Eush  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  207. 

Post  No.  2,  Howard  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  208. 

Post  No  .  3,  Elkhart  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  209. 

Post  No.  3,  Howard  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  210. 

Post  No.  1,  Steuben  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  211. 

Post  No.  1,  Greene  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  212. 

Post  No.  1,  Gibson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  213. 

Post  No.  3,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  214. 

Post  No.  4,  Clay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  215. 

Post  No.  3,  Scott  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  21'6. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      129 

Post  No.  4,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  217. 

Post  No.  4,  Clinton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  218. 

Post  No.  5,  Jetfferson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  219. 

Post  No.  5,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  220. 

Post  No.  2,  Spencer  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  221. 

Post  No.  7,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  222. 

Post  No.  2,  Noble  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  223. 

Post  No.  8,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  224. 

Post  No.  6,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  225. 

Post  No.  2,  Vermillion  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  226. 

Post  No.  1,  Jasper  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  227. 

Post  No.  4,  White  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  228. 

Post  No.  3,  Randolph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  229. 

Post  No.  4,  Putnam  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  230. 

Post  No.  5,  Putnam  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  231. 

Post  No.  9,  Morgan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  232. 


130     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  ISTo.  5,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  233. 

Post  No.  5,  Montgomery  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  234. 

Post  No.  3,  Henry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  235. 

Post  No.  6,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  236. 

Post  No.  7,  Hendricks  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  237. 

Post  No.  3,  Spencer  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  238. 

Post  No.  4,  Carroll  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  239. 

Post  No.  4,  Bush  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  240. 

Post  No.  7,  St.  Joseph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  241. 

Post  No.  1,  Huntington  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  242. 

Post  No.  1,  Pike  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  243. 

Post  No.  5,  Clay  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  244. 

Post  No.  3,  Perry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  245. 

Post  No.  1,  Pnlaski  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  246. 

Post  No.  7,  Sullivan  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  247. 

Post  No.  4,  Dearborn  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  248. 

Post  No.  4,  Fountain  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  249. 


History  of  ike   Grand  Army  of  the,  Republic.      131 

Post  No.  4,  Randolph  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  250. 

Post  No.  2,  Gibson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  251. 

Post  No.  1,  Stark  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  252. 

Post  No.  2,  Owen  County,  will  lie  known  as  Post  No.  253. 

Post  No.  6,  Delaware  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  254. 

Post  No.  2,  Greene  County,  will  bo  known  as  Post 
No.  255. 

Post  No.  4,  Posey  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  256. 

Post  No.  3,  Gibson  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  257. 

Post  No.  2,  Pike  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  258. 

Post  No.  5,  Wayne  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  259. 

Post  No.  3,  Pike  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  260. 

Post  No.  (>,  Wabash  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  261. 

Post  No.  4,  Henry  County,  will  l)e  known  as  Post 
No.  262, 

Post  No.  5,  Henry  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  263. 

Post  No.  8,  Tippecanoe  County,  will  bo  known  as  Post 
No.  264. 

Post  No.  2,  Decatur  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  265. 

Post  No.  2,  Knox  County,  will  be  known  as  Post  No.  266. 

Post  No.  4,  Elkhart  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  267. 


132     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Post  No.  4,  Hamilton  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  268. 

Post  No.  2,  Stcubcn  County,  will  be  known  as  Post 
No.  269. 

The  discriminating  mind  will  not  fail  to  discover  the 
tendency  of  loosening  the  girth  of  District  Commanders,  and 
making  every  Post  a  potentiality  and  independent  factor; 
nor  will  it  fail  to  comprehend  the  impetus  this  number  of 
Posts  gave  to  the  campaign.  It  was  hard  for  the  soldier  at 
that  day  to  resist  the  fellowship  of  his  comrades.  If  he  was 
not  in  active  co-operation,  he  was  in  sympathy  with  him, 
and  only  when  o  their  elements  of  organization,  called  prin 
ciples  of  government,  were  brought  into  the  Order,  did  he 
hesitate  and  finally  withdraw,  or  step  aside  from  participa 
tion.  Let  no  unkind  word  criticise  the  Grand  Army  of  that 
day.  It  was  organized  for  tlie  soldier,  and  in  every  way  it 
could  be  wrought  for  his  good  and  promotion,  there  was  a 
fitting  acquiescence  in  directing  it  to  such  consummation. 
It  was  no  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  It  was  no 
prayer-meeting  entertainment.  It  was  a  fellowship  of  Vet 
erans.  Whatever  there  was,  was  not  too  good  for  him.  He 
carried  with  him  that  old  habit  of  "getting  there/'  If  what 
he  wanted  did  not  lie  before  him,  or  come  to  him,  he  went 
after  it.  And  if,  in  later  years,  he  preferred  othetr  ways  of 
pursuit  in  comradeship,  if  increasing  years  tempered  his 
ardor,  and  he  chose  the  methods  of  ceremony  and  piety  to 
preserve  in  memory  the  fellowships  formed  in  army  life,  it 
ishould  not  be  said  the  organization  was  wrong  then,  and 
right  now.  It  was  right  then,  because  he  made  it  so.  Nor 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      133 

was  he  arraigned  for  believing  so.  He  simply  exercised  the 
right  declared  to  exist.  He  didn't  say  one  thing  and  mean 
another,  hater  events  proved  the  error  in  adopting  new 
[methods,  by  which  the  old  should  be  destroyed,  in  so  doing 
eliminating  him  as  a  factor  in  the  very  government  he  had 
made  it  possible  to  enjoy. 

The  average  strength  of  the&o  Posts  was  probably  100. 
'What  I  would  call  a  sympathetic  membership  was  probably 
three  to  five  times  greater.  When  it  is  considered,  there 
fore,  that  within  a  year  this  great  influence  disappeared  to 
almost  become  a  memory,  it  must  be  understood  that  only 
some  grave  act  was  done  in  violence  of  his  prerogative  as  a 
soldier  to  enjoy  in  this  organization,  antagonizing  thei  orig 
inal  plan  upon  which  he  entered  it. 

These  causes  I  shall  now  consider. 

,'  An  additional  paragraph  of  this  order,  in  obedience  to 
'an  order  of  the  Philadelphia  National  Encampment  of  Jan- 
Tiary  15,  1868,  required  an  assessment  of  one  dollar  upon 
each  Post,  and  in  addition  thereto  the  assessment  of  ten 
cents  per  member  carried  on  the  rolls.  At  this  distance  of 
time  it  seems  strange  that  such  action  should  be  recom 
mended  by  our  own  Past  Department  Commander,  General 
Kimball,  a  delegate  in  that  Encampment.  It  was  accepted 
at  the  time  with  the  declaration  that  such  means  was  the 
only  salvation  of  the  Orde>r.  But  this  action  was  not  gener 
ally  approved  in  the  Department.  It  was  the  first  step  to 
wards  our  dissolution.  The  Department  of  Indiana  had  not 
'only  sustained  itself,  but  helped  others.  We  were  not  insen 
sible  to  our  obligations  to  the  National  organization,  but 


134     Histwy  of  tlic  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

just  at  this  time  to  be  called  upon  to  pay  for  something  from 
which  we  had  derived  no  benefit  was  more  than  we  felt  justly 
bound  to  ask  our  comrades  to  do. 

Nevertheless  the  "order"  went  out  with  misgivings,,  and 
in  order  to  sweeten  it,  so  much  of  General  Order,  No.  6, 
dated  Washington,  February  18,  1868,  went  out  with  it, 
as  follows: 

"I.  It  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Commander-in-chief 
to  have  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic  on  a  strong  work 
ing  basis  at  the  earliest  moment  possible.  No  similar  organ 
ization  in  this  or  any  other  country  ever  espoused  nobler 
(purposes  or  possessed  greater  power  for  good. 

"Previous  military  experience  has  taught  the  value  of 
Consolidated  effort.  Discipline  lies  at  the  foundation  of  all 
enterprises  which  look  for  their  success  to  the  co-opeiration 
of  individuals  scattered  over  large  territory.  Orders  must 
be  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  rules  and  regulations  strictly 
'enforced,  if  we  are  to  hope  for  any  good  to  result  from  our 
efforts.  No  comrade  can  have  studied  the  object  which  we 
seek  to  attain  without  having  perceived  many  ways  in  which 
by  a  trifle  labor  or  contribution  from  each,  great  good  can 
be  accomplished.  But  all  effort  is  futile  until  our  organ 
ization  is  perfected,  and  ojur  strength  concentrated  into  one 
harmonious  body  working  as  a  single  person. 

"To  effect  an  early  and  efficient  consolidation  of  the 
Order  is  the  first  object  sought  by  the  Commander-in-chief, 
and  this  done  he  will  then  have  some  plans  to  submit,  which 
it  is  believed  will  elicit  not  only  the  approval  of  comrades 
everywhere,  but  will  compel  the  admiration  of  those  who 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the,  Republic.      135 

now  regard  the  Order  with  distrust,  or  look  upon  it  as 
ephemeral.,  and  a  thing  of  hut  a  day.  All  communications 
sent  to  these  headquarters  pertaining  to  the  business  of  the 
Grand  Army  must  come  through  the  ordinary  channels." 
1  This  appeal  came  morei  like  a  moan,  but  appeal  it  was, 
for  the  condition  of  the  Order  niquired  strong  persuasion  to 
hold  it  to  the*  lines  drawn  at  Philadelphia.  But  the  real 
purpose  of  this  order  was  never  brought  to  the  surface.  The 
fine  hand  of  Chipman,  Logan's  Adjutant-General,  is  seen 
in  this  order.  To  be  sure,  there  was  much  to  anticipate 
from  "united  effort,"  and  "concentrated  strength,"  but  what 
he  meant  by  "consolidation  of  the  Order"  no  one  knew. 
There  was  nothing  to  consolidate)  it  with.  The  inducement 
Coffered  of  some  great  plans  being  conceived  for  the  glorifi 
cation  of  the  comrade,  some  sensational  coup  d'etat,  which 
he  would  behold  in  awe  and  admiration,  never  materialized. 
The  "order"  itself  at  this  time  was  an  enigma,  because  in  no 
sense  was  a  sentiment  required  to  stimulate  Grand  Army 
men  generally  to  action,  and  we  did  not  accept  the  infer 
ences  of  the  "order"  as  justifiable  by  any  means. 

The  idea  of  introducing  an  iron  rule  of  "discipline"  by 
subjecting  membetrs  to  a  military  code  of  ethics,  exacting 
pro-nipt  obedience  under  an  implied  threat  of  dismember 
ment,  was  carrying  the  rule  of  authority  to  extremes — suf 
ficiently,  at  least,  to  lead  many  to  declare  the  time  had  gone 
by  for  any  such  pomp  and  parade  for  men,  whose  lives  had 
been  beaten  in  the  crucible  of  war,  to  give  their  approval  to 
any  such  observance,  which  neither  true  fellowship  nor  the 
natural  laws  of  companionship  required  from  them. 


136     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

>  The  mere  act  of  transmitting  these  orders  to  the  several 
'Posts  provoked  the  thought  that  the  Department  was  becom 
ing  imperious;  that  we  were  willingly  encouraging  a  spirit 
of  military  rule  that  every  soldier  was  glad  to  escape  from 
when  mustered  out  of  service.  Because  it  was  the  duty  of 
the  Department  to  aid  in  the  execution  and  enforcement  of 
all  orders  from  National  Headquarters — in  almost  every 
case  reluctanfjy  done — there  were  those  who  did  not  hesitate 
to  censure  Department  Headquarters  for  its  seeming  con 
currence  with  the  spirit  of  the  order.  And  because,  as 
Adjutant-General  of  the  Department,  I  always  sought  to 
mollify  or  have  revolved  some  part;  or  the  entire  order — that 
one  notably  "dishonorably  discharging  members" — I  was 
given  to  understand  from  National  Headquarters  the  "order 
must  be  obeyed." 

General  Foster  did  not  like  the  idea  of  creating  a  dicta 
torship  in  the  Grand  Army,  and  did  not  affect  to  conceal 
his  disapproval  of  the  spirit  shown  to  create  a  kind  of  mil 
itary  aristocracy,  or  cabal  of  martinets.  The  spirit  of  re 
sistance  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of  these  orders  met  with  no 
'other  remonstrance  from  Department  Headquarters,  for  the 
'simple  reason  that,  as  organized,  we  were  not  prepared  for 
such  exactions  and  tribute. 

When  that  Philadelphia  Encampment  pretended  to 
amend  the  rules  and  regulations,  the  proper  thing  to  Imve 
(done  would  have  been  to  submit  such  work  to  the  different 
Departments  for  ratification  or  rejection.  Instead,  one  hun 
dred  and  twenty  men  presumed  to  act  and  change  the  very 
law  that  gave  the  organization  existence;  to  take  from  its 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      137 

members  vested  rights  in  the  Order.  They  could  not  legally 
exercise  such  power.  They  did  not  represent  the  entire 
Order.  The  work  they  did  was  to  destroy.  Their  assump 
tion  of  arbitrary  rule  and  power,  as  if  a  soldier's  member 
ship  was  a  boon  by  their  grace,  not  by  having  fought  his 
Country's  battles,  was  enough  to  awaken  contempt  for  and 
quicken  their  exit  from  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic — 
^which  it  did.  It  mattered  not  whether  he  had  come  out  of 
the  war  with  an  empty  sleeve,  a  companionless  leg,  or  a  dis 
eased  body,  if  ho  didn't  come  up  to  their  standard  of  what  he 
ought  to  do  and  ~be  in  the  Grand  Army,  he  was  unfit  to  be 
regarded  as  an  honorable  soldier,  and  he  was  to  be  so  posted. 

I  speak  from  the  record:  In  General  Order,  No.  8, 
dated  February  29th,  1868,  National  Headquarters,  the 
Commandeir-in-chief  promulgated  the  following  "revised 
regulations  of  the  Order" :  "The  name  of  a  dishonorably 
discharged  member  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Headquarters 
of  the  Army,  through  the  proper  channel,  for  the  informa 
tion  and  guidance  of  the  several  Posts  throughout  the 
United  States/' 

This  was  the  revision  made  at  Philadelphia  January, 
1868.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  above  Posts  of  the  Indiana 
Department  were  organized  prior  to  this  revision,  and  under 
the  original  first  Constitution.  This  provision,  therefore, 
was  another  step  towards  our  disintegration,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  we  saw  no  reason  to  so  stigmatize  our  comrades 
after  we  had  invited  them  into  fellowship. 

The  Grand  Army  men  of  Indiana  never  sought  to  con 
ceal  their  political  affinities.  They  helped  a  comrade  as  wil- 


138     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

]ingly  outside  as  within  the  Order,  whatever  his  politic;?. 
They  saw  no  reason  to  justify  the  prescription  of  a  com 
rade  just  because  he  could  not  sustain  his  membership  with 
them.  We  were  not  in  favor  of  delivering  our  principles  to 
the  debasement  of  a  comrade,  by  publishing  him  over  the 
.'United  States  as  unworthy,  not  from  service  in  the  war,  but 
for  some  whim  or  caprice  of  a  few  men,  who  would  have  him 
'conform  to  certain  sentimental  notions  of  fellowship.  We 
refused  to  forward  such  names.  Further,  we  refused  to 
sanction  the  "discharge"  of  comrades  for  the  causes  pre 
scribed.  If  any  names  were  sent  to  Department  Headquar 
ters,  they  never  got  any  further,  and  no  action  was  taken 
on  them. 

Tt  is  not  worth  the  time  to  argue  that  the  Grand  Army 
was  not  at  this  time  political.  It  was,  and  the  country 
knew  it.  Its  declaration  of  principles,  Article  1.,  Sec.  2, 
par.  5,  reads:  "For  the  establishment  and  defense  of  the 
late  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United  States,  morally,  social 
ly,  and  politically,,  with  a  view  to  inculcate  a  proper  appre 
ciation  of  their  service  to  the  country  and  to  the  recognition 
bf  such  services  and  claims  by  the  American  people."  It 
was  under  this  Constitution  we  were  organized,  and  no 
where  in  this  instrument  was  any  such  power  given  as  these 
IGeneral  Orders  contained.  And  at  this  Philadelphia  En 
campment,  with  the  results  of  the  campaign  of  186G  before 
them,  and  the  strength  of  the  Order  in  the  larger  States  at 
that  time,  they  sought  to  change/  this  declaration  of  princi 
ples.  It  was  a  stormy,  violent  session,  one  side  claiming 
'the  organization  should  remain  as  it  was,  avowedly  political; 


History  of  the.   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      139 

the  other  declaring  that  politics  had  destroyed  its  influence 
in  the  West,  which  the  facts  show  wast  false,,  so  far  as  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  and  Indiana  were  concerned.  And  other  States 
might  be  mentioned.  Out  of  this  contention  came  this  dec 
laration,  "that  this  association  does  not  design  to  make  nom 
inations  for  office,  or  to  use  its  influence  as  a  secret  organ 
ization  for  partisan  purposes."  Nevertheless  it  was  a  "rose/7 
and  it  smelt  just  as  sweet,  with  this  deceitful,  shambling 
declaration. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  our  delegates,  Generals  John 
Coburn,  H.  D.  Washburn,  Morton  C.  Hunter,  and  J.  P.  C. 
Shanks,  that  but  for  the  incautious  expression  concerning  the 
West  by  General  Dan  Sickles,  he  would  have  'been  elected 
Commander-in-chief,  instead  of  Logan. 
I  General  Coburn,  writing  to  me  later,  says:  "It  is  hard 
to  say  whether  tin's  is  better  than  to  try  and  keep  it  out  en 
tirely.  There  are  precious  few  copperheads  in  the  Grand 
Army,  and  perhaps  it  may  be  made  more  efficient  by  hoist 
ing  the  flag  and  making  a  square  fight  as  political  soldiers. 
.  .  .  .  The  Grand  Army  is  a  flank  movement,  in  my 
judgment,  and  should  have  been  so  conducted,  but  our 
friends  thought  it  best  to  put  it  at  the  head  of  the  column, 
and  with  it  attempt  to  storm  the  enemy's  works.  To  fail 
now  in  this  shape  is  a  final  disaster,  and  not  easily  retrieved.7' 

Out  of  this  Encampment  came  Logan,  and  from  Logan 
came  these  orders.  Also  a  revised  Eitual. 

Additional  paragraphs  from  orders  of  National  Head 
quarters  were  promulgated  in  General  Foster's  General 
Order,  No.  4,  May  1st,  1868 :  that  of  April  9th  reporting 


140     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

decisions  as  to  eligibility  to  membership,  advising  caution 
as  to  admission  of  members,  the  doctrine  of  "once  a  com 
rade  always  a  comrade/'  "suspension  of  members,  disbanded 
Posts,  and  their  restoration'" ;  of  April  13,  as  to  rejection  of 
candidates,  and  decisions  thereon  for  restoration,  and  the 
matter  of  dues.  Posts  were  advised  that,  failing  to  report 
on  any  of  these  requirements  would  have  to  be  reported  to 
National  Headquarters — which  I  do  not  think  was  ever 
done,  as  to  all  the  requirements. 

It  was  certainly  thought  at  the  time  that  conditions  of 
(environment  were  different  in  Indiana  than  elsewhere,  and 
if  or  this  reason,  among  others,  our  comrades  did  not  want 
to  be  handicapped  by  officialism  and  too  much  "red  tape." 
They  were  intelligent  and  very  loyal,  and  no  power  on  earth 
could  suppress  them  in  declaring  their  political  affiliation 
and  determination  to  combat  disloyalty  in  any  guise.  Had 
we  been  organized  as  a  purely  moral  and  charitable  organ 
ization,  we  would  probably  have  gone  and  "labored"  with 
these  erring  brethren,  but  as  party  organization  was  the  only 
means  now  of  preventing  rebel  ascendancy,  the  soldiers  went 
to  that  party.  In  the  field  they  fought  best  organized,  and 
with  "less  Chaplain,"  so  they  naturally  preferred  organiza 
tion  at  this  time  to  sustain  the  same  party  that  stood  by 
thean  in  war;  and  it  required  no  second  appeal  "to  arms" 
for  them  to  rally  when  they  read  the  following  additional 
paragraph  11,  of  General  Foster's  General  Order,  No.  4: 

"XI.  The  attention  of  soldiers  throughout  this  Depart 
ment  is  called  to  an  organization  in  the  State  known  as  and 
called  the  'Union  White  Boys  in  Blue/  This  society  is  more 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      141 

than  it  pretends  to  be.  Its  influence  is  pernicious,  and  its 
designs  are  believed  to  be  to  restore  rebels  to  power  and 
demand  for  the  South  full  reparation  for  all  damages  occa 
sioned  by  the  war,  and  if  it  can,  to  compel  the  Nation  to 
pay  the  rebel  debt,  but  first  to  repudiate  our  own  national 
debt.  It  invites  to  its  membership  all  soldiers  opposed  to 
the  National  Congress  and  the  lawful  government  of  the 
United  States.  Its  leaders  are  politicians  whose  ambition 
has  been  defeated  in  their  efforts  to  reduce  the  Republic  to 
a  condition  of  anarchy,  to  disrupt  the  Nation,  to  secure  for 
eign  intervention,  to  effect  our  national  destruction  and  dis 
honor,  and  to  overthrow  the  government  by  conspiracy  and 
treason.  Failing  in  all  this,  they  now  seek  to  mislead  the 
unwary  by  epithets  and  denunciations  of  everything  that 
went  to  restore  the  Union,  and  with  glozing  tongue  and  sup 
ple  morality  they  embellish  the  dogmas  of  their  party  with 
extenuations  and  justifications  for  the  'lost  cause/  and  jus 
tify  the  barbarous  cruelties  of  Andersonville  prison  pen. 
The  soldiers  of  Indiana  who  yet  revere  the  memory  of  their 
fallen  comrades  cannot  affiliate  with  this  class  of  soldiers 
and  citizens  who  proclaim  themselves  loyal,  but  who  have 
'stolen  the  livery  of  heaven  to  serve  the  devil  in/  ?; 

At  this  time  I  know  it  was  thought  that  no  organization 
was  too  good  in  Indiana  to  have  a  little  politics  in  it.  It 
would  have  been  pardoned  in  Holy  Writ.  The  confidence 
felt  that  the  Grand  Army  would  "take1  care  of  these  fellows" 
— as  we  did — was  very  satisfying. 

Every  National  Order  now  seemed  incomplete  without 
a  long  list  of  "rejected  candidates  of  the  Grand  Army  of 


142     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

the  Eepublie''  and  names  of  those  "dishonorably  discharged/' 
the  former  without  reason  assigned.  Among  the  many  thou 
sand  I  find  only  six  from  Indiana :  four  from  Post  72  and 
two  from  Post  275.,  sent  direct,  presumably,  from  Post  to 
National  Headquarters. 

The  chief  event  marking  General  Logan's  first  adminis 
tration,  and  which  indelibly  connects  his  name  with  the 
Grand  Army,  and  retrieves  it  from  many  mistakes  of  his 
staff,,  was  his  General  Order,  No.  11,  dated  Washington, 
May  5th,  1868,  directing  the  observance  of  May  30th  "for 
the  purpose  of  strewing  with  flowers  or  otherwise  decorat 
ing  the  graves  of  comrades  who  died  in  defense*  of  their 
country  during  the  late  rebellion." 

This  order  was  sacredly  observed  by  the  Department  of 
Indiana. 

In  communicating  by  General  Order,  No.  5,  3d  Series, 
dated  Sept.  21st,  1808,  the  several  National  Orders  received 
from  June  22d,  1868,  sufficiently  indicate  that  the  inevitable 
was  approaching:  "Where  it  is  found  possible  for  Posts 
to  comply  with  these  sections,  the  facts  will  be  so  reported,, 
and  directions  will  then  be  given  enabling  them  to  be  placed 
again  upon  the  Department  roster.  Comrades  will  fully 
understand  that  where  a  Post  is  carried  on  the  Department 
roster,  it  must  be  reported  to  National  Headquarters  as  an 
active  Post,  as  this  Department  will  be  held  responsible 
for  the  percentage  of  dues  from  that  Post.  Non-active  Post:? 
are  not  reported." 

"Posts  failing  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  the  above 
sections  of  General  Order,  No.  4,  3d  Series,  .  .  .  within 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      143 

ten  days  after  the  end  of  the  present  quarter,  Sept.  3d,  will 
be  dropped  from  the  roster  at  these  headquarters,  and  re 
ported  to  National  Headquarters,  by  order  of  the  Com 
mander-in-chief." 

It  may  be  noticed  here  that  many  Posts  made  an  effort, 
and  some  succeeded,  under  the  above  admonition  to  reor 
ganize  :  notably,  No.  1,  Jay  County ;  No.  4,  Randolph  Coun 
ty;  No.  2,  Elkhart  County;  No.  4,  Hancock  County;  No.  1, 
Gibson  County;  No.  1,  Hamilton  County;  No.  3,  Hush  Coun 
ty;  No.  1,  Henry  County;  No.  1,  Union  County;  No.  7,  Mor 
gan  County;  No.  1,  Monroe  County;  No.  3,  Elkhart  County; 
No.  1,  Vigo  County;  No.  3,  Gibson  County;  No.  1,  Pike 
County;  No.  1,  Knox  County;  No.  5,  Sullivan  County;  No. 
1,  Fountain  County;  No.  2,  Tippecanoe  County;  No.  2. 
Knox  County;  No.  1,  Morgan  County;  No.  4,  Randolph 
County;  No.  3,  Tippecanoe  County;  No.  2,  Elkhart  County; 
No.  5,  St.  Joseph  County;  No.  3,  Clay  County;  No.  7,  Vigo 
County;  No.  1,  Fayette  County;  No.  1,  Allen  County;  No. 
3,  Miami  County;  No.  3,  Pike  County;  No.  1,  Montgomery 
County ;  and  No.  4,  No.  2,  Boone  County.  George  W.  Ross, 
in  Ripley  County,  was  authorized  to  organize  Posts  in  the 
3d  Congressional  District,  Jefferson  County,  No.  1;  Cap 
tain  Ed.  R.  Kerstetter,  in  the  10th  Congressional  District: 
Colonel  G.  0.  Behm,  of  Post  No.  1,  Tippocanoe,  was  author 
ized  to  convene  Council  of  Posts  and  consolidate  them  in 
Tippecanoe  County  with  No.  2,  Franklin  County. 

The  above  Posts  I  find  among  my  records  as  those  com 
plying  with  Department  General  Order,  No.  3,  3d  Series, 
some!  seeking  and  others  effecting  a.  reorganization,  on  pay- 


144     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

merit  of  assessment,  dues,  etc.    All  such  were  supplied  with 
the  new  Ritual  that  came  to  us  in  May. 

On  June  22d,  1868,  General  James  C.  Veatch,  who  was 
•organizing  the  1st  Congressional  District,  was  written  to  as 
follows : 

"I  send  you  General  Order,  No.  4.  Nothing  ever  done 
in  Vanderburg;  Warrick,  at  Newburg,  is  dead;  Perry  lan 
guid;  look  to  Spencer;  Pike  in  good  condition,  as  far  as 
'organized;  Gibson  ditto;  Davies  none;  Knox  two.  Much 
'can1  be  done  in  your  District.  I  send  you  blank  applications, 
and,  if  possible,  put  a  Post  in  every  township. 
'Anything  you  may  need  to  assist  you,  call  upon  me." 

Also  on  same  date,  to  Major  W.  W.  Carter,  Bowling 
Green,  Clay  County,  I  wrote  as  follows: 
'  "It  is  a  pleasure  to  congratulate  our  comrades  upon  their 
success,  especially  where  there  has  been  so  much  fault-finding 
and  jealousy  of  the  soldier.  You  have  a  large  field  of  labor 
before  you,  and,  if  properly  engineered,  no  fears  of  your  suc 
cess  need  be  entertained.  You  can  now  organize  your  Dis 
trict  with  more  than  an  eye  foi  your  country's  good — your 
own.  As  in  1866,  we  had  to  carry  this  State,  and  now  we 
have  a  rebel  organization  in  our  midst  known  as  "White 
Boys  in  Blue."  They  are  meaner  and  stronger  than  is  gen 
erally  known.  I  send  you  General  Order,  No.  4.  This  will 
show  number  of  Posts  in  each  county  in  your  District. 
Lawrence  needs  strengthening.  Monroe  ditto.  Greene  ditto. 
Sullivan  revived.  Vigo  revived.  Clay  revived.  Owen  re 
organized.  Parke  revived,  and  Vermillion  ditto. 
Whatever  you  may  want  in  the  way  of  assistance,  call 
upon  us." 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      145 

So  also  to  General  Jasper  Packard,  of  date  June  26th, 
I  wrote: 

"I  send  you  a  number  of  blank  applications  to  assist  you 
in  organizing  your  District.  Also  General  Order,  No.  4, 
showing  number  of  Posts  in  your  District.  Jasper  County 
has  but  one  Post,  at  Benssalaer ;  Newton,  none;  White,  four; 
Pulaski,  one,  at  Medaryville;  Fulton,  one  at  Bochester — I 
have  written  to  Colonel  Shryock;  Marshall,  two,  at  Plym 
outh  and  Bourbon;  Starke,  one,  at  Knox;  Porter,  two,  at 
Valparaiso  and  Hebron;  Lake,  five* — they  need  reviving;  St. 
Joe,  seven — need  reviving;  La  Porte,  three — need  attention. 

"The  greater  majority  the  greater  the  strength  to  the 
ticket.  Anything  you  may  desire  in  the  way  of  blanks  and 
documents  will  be  furnished  you.  The  new  Bitual  and  Con 
stitution  will  be  forwarded  to  each  Post  upon  organization. 
If  Posts  cannot  forward  fee,  forward  application  without 
it,  making  statement  thereon  of  such  fact." 

The  above  were  duly  signed, 

"By  order  Commander, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"Adjutant-General." 

Bearing  directly  upon  the  subject  matter  of  these  com 
munications,  I  later,  on  August  llth,  1868,  made  a  few 
suggestions  to  General  N.  P.  Chipman,  Adjutant-General, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Washington,  D.  C.,  touching 
matters  especially  affecting  the1  Order  in  our  Department.  1 
do  not  hesitate  to  give  this  letter  entire  to  these  pages,  verba 
tim  et  literatim — as  far  as  present  type  affords : 


146     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"August  llth,  1868. 
"Gen'l  N.  P.  Chipman, 
"A. -a.,  G.  A.  E. 

"Dear  General: — I  am  convinced  by  experience  in  the 
G.  A.  R.  having  been  longer  connected  with  the  Order  offi 
cially  than,  I  believe,  any  other  person,  that  the  only  thing 
that  can  po«sibly#102  over  9,  49  /  dg  from  @A#38#2  89. 
I@348.E4G.  82,454^X29.*  4922.— -3.#5#H  20  #9.  I. 
722<£38H.  H4626IL477  X3#  CP59P402.  In  some  a 
484@238A28H.  64al63H.  2llo3in  #  2P7217.S  29  of 
Dept.  a  47.97H,  or  LI#H  with  the  National  Council. 
"Fraternally,, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"  Ad  jt. -General" 

I  have  been  asked,  "Why  not  write;  this  letter  out  in  long 
hand?"  I  answer,  "There  are  a  numjber  of  reasons:  first, 
it  would  subserve  no  purpose  that  affects  present  conditions; 
second,  it  was  very  personal  in  its  character — this  I  remem 
ber;  and  third,  I  have  forgotten  the  'Code  Cipher/7'  My 
impression  now  is,  General  Chipman  agreed  with  me. 
!  The  fins  spun  theories  and  sentimental  organism  of 
national  officers  simply  made  it  impossible  to  hold  the 
organization  to  its  former  strength  in  our  Department  under 
the  exactions  that  far  exceeded  the  line  of  wisdom  and  com- 
iflon  sense.  There  was  nothing  then  in  the  Order  to  re 
quire  or  support  such  epauletism.  As  I  read  these  orders 
now  they  seem  silly,  bombastic.  Men  were  not  living  then 
to  pay  allegiance,  or  homage  to  the  pomp  and  pageantry  of 
individual  arrogance,  and  as  future  events  proved,  there  was 
a  limit  to  this  parade  of  parvenu  virtue.  Organized  for 


Ilistwy  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      147 

political  purposes,  so  far  as  selecting  worthy  soldiers  for 
otlicc  and  electing-  them,  it  accomplished  its  purpose,  and 
put  the  affairs  of  state  in  the  hands  of  their  friends.  And 
not  only  in  Indiana,  but  other  States  felt  the  injustice  of 
such  military  exaction  and  punctilious  observance  of  "rules," 
for  which  no  other  support  than  good-fellowship  was  orig 
inally  intended  or  required. 

It  was  with  this  light  before  him  that  the  Commander- 
in-chief  called  a  Council  at  Philadelphia  for  October  1st, 
1868,  to  which  Department  Commanders  and  their  Adju 
tants  were  invited,  "as  matters  of  great  interest  to  the  wel 
fare  of  the  Order  will  be  discussed." 

I  went  to  this  Council.  From  correspondence  we  had, 
1  learned  that  tjhe  contractor  to  manufacture  the  badge  had 
for  some  reason  failed  to  comply  with  his  contract  (I  think 
the  plate  had  been  destroyed  by  fire — this  was  the  badge 
adopted  at  the  Philadelphia  Encampment  January,  1868), 
and  that  the  Ritual,  also  adopted  at  the  same;  time,  could 
not  be  used  without  the  badge,  as  one  dovetailed  the  other. 
This  was  a  part  of  the  work,  we  assumed,  that  was  to  be 
done  over  again,  and  it  was  in  the  desire  to  get  back  again 
the  old  Ritual,  made  by  Stephenson,  that  induced  our  De 
partment  to  be  represented. 

Some  little  change  was  made  in  the  badge,  but  as  to  the 
Ritual,  the  Council  appointed  the  following  named  commit 
tee,  with  instruction  to  revise  it,  and,  in  connection  there 
with,  to  consider  the  subject  of  degrees;  also  to  recommend 
a  uniform  for  the  Order,  to  report  at  the  next  National  En 
campment.  This  committee  was  named  as  follows :  James 


148     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Shaw,,  Jr.,  Providence,  E.  I. ;  Louis  Wagner,  Philadelphia, 
Pa. ;  A.  H.  Quint,  New  Bedford,  Mass. ;  0.  M.  Wilson,  In 
dianapolis;  T.  W.  Higginson,  Newport,  R.  L ;  Thomas  L. 
Young,  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  F.  W.  Sparling,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Before  taking  up  the  subject  of  the  Ritual,  I  desire  to 
speak  of  this  badge  adopted  by  the  Council.  It  was  the 
original,  with  the  addition  of  an  eagle  surmounting,  and  a 
circular  pendant,  that  was  intended  to  express  the  rank  of 
the  comrade  wearing  it.  There  were  only  twenty-three 
grades,  or  styles  of  this  badge,  signifying  as  many  officers 
or  grades  in  the  Order.  The  private's  badge  could  be  had 
for  40  cents  up  to  $25,  as  he  might  prefer,  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  metal,  or  his  cupidity  or  vanity.  It  required 
a  three-page  circular  to  announce  this  badge  and  its  vari 
ous  colors  and  designs,  in  enamel,  silver,  and  gold,  all  of 
which  could  be!  had  of  National  Headquarters  only.  In  the 
parlance  of  latter-day  expressions,  National  Headquarters 
had  then,  and,  I  learn,  has  continued  "to  have  and  to  hold" 
"the  cinch"  on  supplies. 

Then  later,  probably  from  the  fact  that  revenue  was  not 
coming  in  fast  enough  by  sale  of  these  badges,  "a  commis 
sion  for  all  officers  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
.  has  been  adopted  by  these  National  Headquarters, 
and  is  now  ready  for  distribution."  This  commission  was 
surmounted  with  "the  national  eagle";  it  bore  the  fac 
simile  signatures  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  Adjutant- 
General,  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General.  Officers  who  had 
served  under  the  administration  of  General  S.  A.  Hurlbut 
"would  be  furnished  with  commissions  containing  his  por- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      149 

trait;  price,  on  paper,,  50  cents;  on  pink  satin,  $2.50.  Or 
ders  will  be  setnt  to  the  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Nation- 
til  Headquarters."  To  any  comrade  securing  orders  for  not 
"less  than  25  certificates"  was  offered  a  "satin  certificate,  or 
commission." 

It  was  as  much  this  spirit  of  greed  and  speculation  upon 
the  Order,  that  invited  contempt,  ridicule,  and  disgust  for 
and  of  the  men  who  sought  to  "make  money"  out  of  the 
cupidity  of  the  soldier,  that  led  to  indifference,  and  from 
indifference  to  refusal  to  have  anything  to  do1  with  the  Order, 
as  then  managed  and  conducted  at  National  Headquarters. 
The  Assistant  Adjutant-General  was  at  the  time  holding  a 
Government  position  in  Washington — pension  agent,  I  be 
lieve.  He  became  involved  in  some  questionable  transaction 
in  office,  as  we  then  understood,  and  disappeared.  I  know 
in  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  circles  extreme  efforts  were 
made  to  hush  the  affair,  but  it  eventually  gained  publicity. 
The  few  who  knew  refused  to  talk.  Following  this  develop 
ment,  and  weary  of  the  iron  rule  and  methods  of  adminis 
tering  Grand  Army  affairs,  with  General  Lucius  Fairchild, 
of  Wisconsin,  and  other  noble  spirits  and  lovers  of  the  first 
principles  of  the  Order,  Indiana  joined  with  him  and  other 
leading  representatives  to  overthrow  the  Logan  dynasty  and 
place  GeneTal  Robert  C.  Schenck  in  command.  But  the 
Quartermaster's  Department  was  too  strong,  and  Logan  was 
re-elected.  On  the  veriest  technicality,  Indiana  and  other 
Departments  werei  excluded — until  after  the  election.  The 
Quartermaster-General — though  our  warm,  personal  friend,, 
especially  of  Department  Commander  Foster — had  the 


150     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"cinch"  and  held  it,  because  we  had  opposed  his  peculation. 
The  extravagance  in  his  Department — Quartermaster-Gen 
eral — continued  into  1869  and  1870,  for  the  aggrandizement 
of  a  few  martinets;  and  because  we  would  not  buy  badges 
and  "commissions"  and  pay  on  demand  all  "assessments" 
and  submit  to  whatever  exactions  they  saw  fit  to  impose  in 
many  ways,  principally  on  Posts  that  had  once  been  active, 
but  now  could  no  longer  stand  the  strain,  and  had  "gone  out 
of  commission/-'  and  because  the  Department  would  not  pay 
the  "per  capita  tax"  for  men  once  members,  but  now  no 
longer  affiliating,  being  unable  and  unwilling  to  demand 
from  Post  and  comrade  what  we  knew  they  did  not  owe, 
and  where  they  did  owe  could  not  pay — for  these  causes  we 
were  "held  up,"  and  met  their  malediction,  and  denied  our 
constitutional  rights  and  representation  on  what  we  insisted 
was  our  right,  on  what  we  claimed  our  just  and  proper  rep 
resentation  to  be,  and  for  which  we  stood  ready  to  meet  all 
legal  demands. 

Under  such  impositions,  conditions,  and  restraints,  is  it 
any  wonder  the  Order  in  Indiana  gradually  dissolved?  It 
was  at  this  Philadelphia  Council  that  tho  spirit  of  pecula 
tion,  well  concealed  by  de-signing  men,  took  its  first  breath, 
that  eventually  blew  strong  enough,  as  will  be  seen,  to  over 
throw  the  first  and  only  great  organization — that  founded 
on  Stephenson's  Ritual  and  Constitution. 

A  new  Eitual  must  be  made1 — the  syndicate  required  it 
for  revenue. 

The  first  meeting  of  this  committee  was  called  for  March 
3d,  1869.  1  was  then  Department  Commander.  On  Febru- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      151 

ary  13th,  18 G9,  General  Shaw  writes  me  of  the  second  meet 
ing!  in  Washington  on  the  4th,  saying,  "We  have  received 
'many  suggestions  and  some  entire  manuscripts  of  rules  and 
regulations  and  Ritual.  ...  I  think  we  shall  be  able 
to  greatly  improve  both,  .  .  .  and  I  hope  place  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  on  a  firm  footing" — something 
we  all  realized  to  be  vital  to  the.  Order.  I  heard  nothing 
further  from  Genera]  Shaw.  He  had  my  views.  I  didn't 
want  anything  but  the  Stephenson  Ritual.  I  wasn't  in  sym 
pathy  with  the  committee's  work,  and  Shaw  let  me  alone. 
The  third  National  Encampment  assembled  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  May  12th  and  13th,  1869,  in  pursuance  of  General 
Order,  No.  20,  Washington,  March  25th,  18G9,  which  con 
tained  the  resolution  of  the  Philadelphia  Encampment  of 
1SG8,  requiring  the  levy  by  Departments  of  one  dollar  on 
each  Post  to  reimburse  the  then  Adjutant-General — for 
'what  purpose  is  not  stated — "the  balance  to  be  retained  by 
the  Quartermaster-General  for  the  benefit  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic"  and  "holding  the  Department  Com 
manders  responsible  for  the  collection,"  etc.  Indiana,  Illi 
nois,  Kansas,  Missouri,  Iowa,  and  other  States  were  at  first 
excluded — "hadn't  paid  their  bills" — but  were  finally  admit 
ted  to  the  gracious  privilege! (  ?)  to  act  as  negatives,  and,  to 
their  credit  be  it  ever  remembered,  to  oppose  what  is  to-day 
only  a  memory  to  some  of  us — a  degree  Ritual. 

At  this  Encampment  the  Ritual  authorized  by  the  Phil 
adelphia  Council  was  presented  and  adopted.  It  embraced 
three  degrees,  the  Recruit,  the  Soldier,  the  Veteran.  The 
Adjutant-General  was  directed  to  print  the  entire  work  for 

the  use  of  the  Order. 
10- 


152     Ilislwy  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

As  a  member  of  this  Committee  I  sought  the  restoration 
of  our  first  Eitual.  I  disapproved  of  the  great  cumbersome 
secret  work — stolen,  I  believed,  from  some  secret  ancient 
order.  Later  in  life  I  discovered  this  to  be  so.  I  protested 
against  the  degrees,  saying  even  what  we  had  was  mqre  thali 
enough.  I  remember  the  morning  when  we  assembled  to 
report  the  revision.  Shaw  and  I  were  walking  together, 
when  he  said:  "Wilson,  you  may  not  see  through  some  of 
this  now,  but  you  will  after  while — one  of  these  days."  I 
answered  him,  "Our  boys  will  never  work  under  degrees. 
They  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  whatever  is  different  from 
what  was  required  of  them  in  the  service." 

Time  proved  the  truth  of  my  declaration. 

The  Encampment  then  passed  resolutions  putting  in  ef 
fect  this  Eitual  with  its  grades,  and  providing  for  "an  entire 
reorganization  which  should  be  accomplished  at  the  earliest 
moment,"  reads  General  Order,  No.  1,  May  22d,  1869.  Fur 
ther  in  this  order,  the  Commander-in-chief,  Logan,  re-elected 
in  Cincinnati,  speaks  of  "the  imperative  necessity  of  prompt 
ness  in  transmitting  all  reports  and  dues  to  his  headquar 
ters."  The  "utmost  activity"  is  urged.  The  "necessity  of 
implicit  obedience  to  the;  rules  and  regulations"  commanded. 
Also,  "the  new  Rituals,  rules,  and  regulations,  with  all 
blanks,  quarterly  returns,  etc.,  can  be  obtained  only  through 
these  headquarters.  AH  orders  will  be  promptly  filled." 
This  was  the  continuation  of  the  beginning  of  the  end — 
Speculation  through  National  Headquarters — in  the  Quarter 
master-General's  Department. 


Histwy  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      153 

At  this  time  we  all  knew  what  politics  meant,  and  among 
ourselves  we  made  no  effort  to  conceal  our  purposes.  We 
knew,  too,  that  certain  national  officials  had  aspirations  that 
materialized  before  the  country  later.  We  could  understand, 
too,  what  the  following  paragraph  meant,  in  General  Or 
der,  No.  20,  convening  this  Cincinnati  Encampment:  "A 
complete  roster  of  the;  Posts  throughout  the  United  States, 
giving  locality  of  Posts  and  officers,  would  be  of  great  ser 
vice  at  these  headquarters,  and  enable  a  more  rapid  com 
munication  when  the  Commander-in-chief  may  desire  to 
reach  the  Posts  direct  upon  any  matter  proper  to  be  sub 
mitted  in  that  manner.  It  is  therefore  directed  that,  upon 
th.e  receipt  of  this  order,  Posts  prepare  such  roster,  and 
forward  it  to  these  headquarters  direct." 

Anybody  can  read  between  these  lines  the  purpose,  yet 
in  a  former  General  Order,  No.  6,  Feb.  18th,  1868,  all  busi 
ness,  etc.,  "must  come  through  the  ordinary  channels,"  My 
recollection  is  that  we  never  furnished  National  Headquar 
ters  with  such  complete  roster,  nor  asked  the  Posts  to  do  so. 

Yet  in  the  very  face  of  the  purpose  concealed  in  this 
Order,  No.  20,  Logan  takes  a  re-election,  on  a  declaration 
of  principles  absolutely  antagonistic  and  revolutionary  to 
the  successful  execution  of  such  order.  His  Order,  No.  1, 
promulgating  the  resolutions  adopted  at  thei  Cincinnati  En 
campment,  made  their  enforcement  imperative. 

These  resolutions  deserve  a  place  in  this  history  as  the 
means  and  contributing  cause — the  chief  cause — of  the  dis 
ruption  of  the  Grand  Army,  not  only  in  Indiana,  but 
throughout  the  country.  They  are  as  follows: 


154     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  put  in  operation  the  system 
of  grades,  the  following  is  adopted: 

"1st.  That  those  who  are  now  eligible  to  the  third 
grade  shall  include1,  upon  taking  the  several  obligations,  all 
present  and  past  officers  and  members  of  the  National  En 
campment  and  of  the  several  Department  Encampments, 
and  all  present  and  past  Commanders,  Vice-Commanders, 
(Adjutants,  Quartermasters,  Surgeons,  and  Chaplains  of 
iPosts,  together  with  all  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
•Republic  who  shall  have  been  members  eight  months;  pro 
vided,  that  the  above  mentioned  shall  be  in  good  standing 
in  the  several  Posts  and  Departments,  and  free  from  all 
dues  on  the  1st  day  of  July,  1869;  and  provided,  that  they 
take  the  several  obligations  prior  to  the  1st  day  of  Septem 
ber,  1869. 

"2(1.  That  all  comrades  in  good  standing  and  free  from 
all  dues  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1869,  who  have  been  mem 
bers  two  months,  shall  constitute  the  second  grade;  pro 
vided,  that  they  take  the  obligations  of  the  first  and  second 
grades  prior  to  the  1st  day  of  September,  1869. 

"3d.  All  recruits  received  on  or  after  the  1st  day  of 
July,  1869,  together  with  all  comrades,  not  taking  the  obli 
gations  of  higher  grades  to  which  they  are  entitled,  shall 
upon  taking  the  first  obligation  constitute  the  first  grade. 

"4th 

"5th.  Neither  the  Department  nor  Posts  in  arrears 
shall  receive  the  Ritual,  sign,  or  passwords,  only  at  the  dis 
cretion  of  the  Commander-in-chief. 

!       "6th.     Every  comrade  now  entitled  to  the  third  grade, 
as  well  as  all  entitled  in  the  future,  shall  pay  a  fee  of  ten 


Histwy  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      155 

cents  on  advancement,  the  same  to  go  to  the  National  En 
campment.  Department  Headquarters  shall  be  held  respon 
sible  for  the  payment  of  said  fees  to  the  National  Encamp 
ment  and  Posts  to  Department  Encampments. 

"7th.  The  dues  to  the  National  Encampment  for  the 
ensuing  year  shall  be  4  cents  per  capita,  upon  each  mem 
ber  borne  on  the  reports  of  Departments  and'  Posts,  the  same 
to  be  paid  in  four  equal  payments  July,  October,  January, 
and  April." 

Under  these  resolutions,  General  Order,  No.  4,  National 
Headquarters,  July  21st,  1869,  the  Commander-in-chief 
promulgated  additional  instructions  and  regulations  for 
their  enforcement,  and  as  to  admitting  comrades  to  the 
grades,  presenting  the  ultimatum  of  a  "muster  out"  unless 
obeyed. 

This  assumption  of  power  simply  paralyzed  the  Order. 
There  was  no  authority,  express  or  implied,  in  the  regula 
tions,  or  giveft  by  the  Encampment  for  such  an  arbitrary, 
revolutionary  order.  The  so-called  -reorganization  was  not 
by  virtue  of  any  power  given  by  that  instrument.  It  was 
based  on  the  resolutions,  passed  by  an  Encampment  that 
exceeded  its  power  and  authority.  They  were  passed  as  in 
structions  as  to  the  method  of  introducing  the  grades.  No 
such  plenary  power,  however,  could  be  given,  or  was  in 
tended  to  be  vested  in  the  Commander-in-chief,  to  take  from 
a  comrade  his  membership,  acquired  under  the  Constitu 
tion  in  the  form  and  manner  there  given.  If,  as  he  pre 
tended  to  do,  he  could  exceed  or  extend  the  limits  of  the 
letter  and  spirit  of  the  organic  law,  he  could  likewise  change 
its  force,  abrogate1,  and  demolish  it  at  will.  We  held  that 


156     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic: 

these  resolutions  were  simple*  declarations,  not  laws;  that 
they  could  not  carry  a  law  into  effect.  Their  mission  was 
to  aid  in  the  exercise  of  authority  given  by  the  Constitu 
tion,  simply  directory  to  the  Commander-in-chief,  the  crea 
ture  of  these  regulations,  and  that  the  Encampment  could 
only  direct  and  empower  him  as  the  Constitution  permitted. 
But  these  resolutions  not  only  enforced  restrictions,  but  en 
larged  the  organic  law  and  assumed  to  impose  commands  in 
violence  of  that  law,  and  the  Commander-in-chief  ignored 
not  only  the  law,  but  the  constitutional  rights  of  every  com 
rade  in  the  Order,  when  he  directed  every  comrade  to  re- 
muster  for  membership,  or  forfeit  it. 

I  never  believed  General  Logan  was  personally  cogni 
zant,  or  even  formulated  a  single  one  of  these  orders.  He 
left  the  work  and  executive  duties  to  members  of  his  staff. 
He  was  an  exceptionally  honorable  and  pure  man,  and 
never  would  do  indirectly  what  he  coul<d  not  conscientiously 
do  directly.  He  placed  confidence  in  those  around  him,  and 
assumed  that  in  their  positions  they  were  doing  no  more 
than  authorized  to  do,  and  doing  it  within  the  letter  of  the 
law;  and  when  some  of  the  most  ardent  workers  in  the 
Order  opposed  his  re-election  in  1870,  he  understood  the 
reason  to  be  not  personal,  but  for  the  overthrow  of  a  set  of 
parasites,  in  whom  he  had  confidence.  He  did  not  want 
re-election,  but  his  staff  did.  A  re-election  meant  change 
of  headquarters  and  staff.  The  history  of  the  Order  con 
firms  the  fact  that  the  Quartermaster-GeneraPs  Department 
was  the  power  behind  the  throne. 

General  Beath,  in  his  "History,"  speaking  of  these 
grades,  says:  "In  considering  the  disappointing  results  of 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  Ihe  Republic.      157 

this  new  departure,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  Order 
was  then  in  a  condition  of  great  depression,  and  that  some 
change  seemed  absolutely  necessary  to  maintain  the  mem 
bership  and  stimulate  recruiting."  The  sole  and  only  mis 
take  was,  the  East  tried  to  put  it  on  a  new  footing — make 
out  of  the  old  a  new  Order,  and  they  failed.  General  Beath 
should  know,  and  probably  he  did  know,  that  the  Grand 
Army  in  nearly  every  Department  was  strongest  in  1868-9. 
He  knew,  too,  that  it  was  the*  morbid,  "goody-goody"  in  the 
Order,  for  sentimental  degree  work,  that  began  to  seep  its 
powers.  He  knew,  too,  that  when  he  and  his  confreres 
would  cloak  the  cardinal  principle  of  the  Order  by  crying 
"Charity,  charity,"  they  were  putting  a  penny  in  the  slot  and 
taking  a  shilling  out. 

As  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  Department  of  Indiana 
at  that  time,  I  know  we  were  never  stronger — that  is,  wo 
carried  our  organization,  as  such,  at  a  higher  mark  than 
was  generally  known;  but  the  false  position  taken  by  many, 
knowing  it  was  false — I  use  the  word  with  a  full  knowledge 
of  its  meaning — and,  while  using  the1  Order  for  their  own 
personal  preferment,  at  the  same  time  cried  out  "Amen!" 
from  the  front  seat  of  the  synagogue,  whenever  some  small 
soul  would  denounce1  us  as  political  assassins.  These  same 
men,  whose  hypocrisy  became  in  time  so  illy  concealed, 
wrought  up  such  a  feeling  of  bitterness  that  men  refused  to 
succor  them,  and  rather  than  play  the  part  of  Janus,  quietly 
stepped  aside,  and  their  Posts  naturally  dwindled  to  a  mere 
name.  We  called  them  our  'Triah  Heaps."  This  was  the 
condition  when  General  Foster  resigned.  He  had  done  ev- 


158     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

erything  in  his  power  to  hold  his  Department  from  dissolu 
tion.  But  he  saw  the  inevitable,  and  the  effect  of  such  a 
glamour  and  pageantry;  and  he  knew  veteran  soldiers  would 
not  submit  to  such  tinselry  and  ceremony  to  please  their 
own  or  any  other  man's  vanity.  However,  his  administra 
tion  embraced  the  period  effected  by  the  Philadelphia  En 
campment,  and  the  introduction  of  the  innovations  pro 
duced  there.  As  early  as  February  17th,  1868,  we  saw  the 
drift  of  the  Xational  Headquarters  to  absorb  every  privi 
lege  heretofore  exercised  by  Departments,  especially  in  mo 
nopolizing  the  printing  of  all  supplies.  By  direction  of 
General  Foster,  I  addressed  a  letter  to  General  Chipman, 
the  Adjutant-General,  upon  the  subject  of  printing  the  Rit 
uals  and  other  supplies  required  by  our  Department.  A 
copy  of  that  letter  is  before  me;  it  reads: 

"I  am  directed  by  the  Commander  of  this  Department 
to  say  that  he  hopes  the  printing  of  the  Ritual  will  be  given 
to  each  Department  where  such  work  can  be  done  at  the 
lowest  rate;  .  .  .  that  if  Washington  city  prices  can 
compete  with  our  own  prices,  he  does  not  feel  inclined  to 
ask  any  better  privilege  for  his  own  Department. 

"This  Department  has  a  Grand  Army  printer,  and  the 
corps  of  printers  to  whom  such  work  has  been  assigned  is 
'composed  entirely  of  comrades,  and  since  one  of  the  cardi 
nal  principles  of  our  organization  is  mutual  assistance,  he 
thinks  this  can  be  better  exemplified  by  just  such  means  used 
at  home,  and  whatever  benefits  that  may  in  any  way  accrue 
from  the  order  in  this  Department,  can  be  better  appreci 
ated  by  the  comrades  directly  than  indirectly.  He  therefore 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      159 

requests  that  so  much  of  your  communication  in  reference 
to  the  printing  of  Rituals  in  Washington  city  be  modified, 
so  that  his  Department  may  continue  to  exercise  this  privi 
lege  and  derive  the  benefits  for  the  interests  of  all  comrades 
in  the  Department  of  Indiana. 

"I  am,  sir, 

"Your  obedient  servant, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"Adjutant-General" 

"P.  S. — Our  Rituals  have  not  cost  us  1  cent  per  copy. 
The  Headquarters  at  Springfield  endeavored  to  compel  us 
to  pay  their  prices,  10  cents,  but  the  officers  of  this  Depart 
ment  were  unwilling  to  encourage  such  an  enterprise." 

I  regret  that  the  answer  to  this  request  and  the  further 
correspondence  on  this  subject  is  not  in  my  possession.  How 
ever,  as  it  will  be  seen  hereafter,  National  Headquarters 
made  no  concession,  but  exacted  its  tribute  in  enriching  prices 
for  every  kind  of  supply,  against  which  we  unavailingly 
protested. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  from  the  first  Order  in  1866 
we  printed  every  kind  of  supply,  and  gave  thousands  upon 
thousands  to  our  own  comrades,  and  others,  in  different 
States,  it  will  not  be  wondered  with  what  revolt  we  turned 
against  this  barefaced,  systematic  peculation.  And  because 
General  Foster  would  not  submit  to  the  many  schemes,  ema 
nating  from  Xational  Headquarters,  his  Adjutant-General 
had  to  get  the  censure,  in  many  cases;  and  the  same  Adju 
tant-General  generally  had  the  privilege  of  reply,  and  took  it. 

On  December  23d,  General  Foster  resigned  his  position 
as  Department  Commander,  in  the  following  letter: 


160     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"To  the  Council  of  Administration,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public,  Department  of  Indiana. 

"Comrades: — I  have  the  honor  to  tender  to  you  my  res 
ignation  as  Department  Commander.  A  multiplicity  of  pri 
vate  business  prevents  me  from  paying  attention  to  the  in 
terests  of  the  Department,  and  a  sense  of  duty  compels  me 
to  adopt  this  course. 

"I  take  this  opportunity  of  testifying  to  the  efficiency  and 
energy  of  Major  0.  M.  Wilson,  Adjutant-General  of  the  De 
partment,  to  whose  efforts  the  magnitude  and  good  condi 
tion  of  the  Order  are  due. 

"R  S.  FOSTER." 

Upon  General  Charles  Cruft,  Senior  Vice  Grand  Com 
mander,  Department  of  Indiana,  devolved  the  duties  of  the 
office,  and  on  Dec.  24th,  1868,  he  was  notified  as  follows: 

"Dear  General: — The  resignation  of  Major-General  R 
S.  Foster,  Grand  Commander  of  this  Department,  devolves 
the  command  thereof  upon  yourself.  His  resignation  has 
been  forwarded  to  the)  Council  of  Administration.  What  are 
your  instructions?  Is  it  your  desire  to  assume  the  duties 
of  Grand  Commander? 

"Your  obedient  servant. 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"Adjutant-General/' 

On  the  same  date  the  following  communication  was  sent 
to  the  Council  of  Administration: 

"General: — I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  the  res 
ignation  of  Major-General  R.  S.  Foster  as  Grand  Com 
mander  of  this  Department.  The  Senior  Vice  Grand  Com- 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      161 

inander,  General  Charles  Cruft,  has  been  notified  that  such 
resignation   leaves  him  in   command  until  a   Grand  Com 
mander  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Council. 
"1  have  the  honor  to  be.,  very  respectfully, 
"Your  obedient  servant, 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
''Adjutant-General. 

"MAJOR-GENERAL  XATTTAX  KTMBALL, 
"Chairman  of  Grand  Council/' 

I  do  not  believe  it  is  even  to  this  day  generally  known 
that  General  Foster  resigned  the  office  of  Department  Com 
mander.  The  time  was  so  near  for  the  State  Encampment 
that  no  order  was  issued,  as  I  remember  now,  announcing 
such  resignation,  and  it  was  deemed  best,  and  for  the  good 
of  the  Order,  that  no  mention  should  be  made  of  it  to  the 
Posts. 

Foster's  resignation  had  long  been  contemplated.  He 
saw  the  impossibility,  under  the  series  of  orders  from  Na 
tional  Headquarters,  of  carrying  out  the  instructions  to  re 
organize  the  Order.  He  wa>  disgusted  with  the  play  of  marti 
nets,  whose  brief  authority  in  the  Grand  Army — civic  organ 
ization  as  it  was — exceeded  the  most  absolute  discipline  in 
the  war.  This  parade  of  authority  was  not  palatable  to  any 
of  us,  and  we  sought  by  every  means  to  stop — even  overthrow 
—it,  for  the  simple  reason  that  it  was  placing  the  Order 
upon  a  planei  we  believed  its  founder  never  intended  it  to 
occupy. 

When  argument  failed,  backed  up  as  it  was  with  evidence 
of  impossibility  to  conform  to  the  exactions  made  of  individ- 


162     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

uals  and  Posts  to  retain  membership,  then  to  avoid  further 
contention  and!  be  released  from  further  responsibility,  Fos 
ter  saw  his  way  clear  to  throw  off  his  mantle  of  authority 
by  resigning. 

To  be  sure,  this  act  left  the  Indiana  Headquarters  in  my 
hands,  though  throughout  my  whole  service  as  Adjutant- 
General,  I  had  naver  presented  a  question  to  either  Foster 
or  Kimball  that  had  not  been  approved,  with  discretionary 
power  to  act.  The  implicit  confidence,  therefore,  given  me 
by  these  Commanders  was  never  abused.  My  authority  was 
carte  blanche.  Hence  Foster's  resignation  was  simply  the 
stepping  down  or  going  out  of  office  and  leaving  the  door 
open — for  me  to  shut. 

That  the  end  was  noar  I  knew,  unless  orders  were  mod 
ified.  We  were  not  willing  to  surrender  our  prestige  of 
1866  and  1868.  At  the  same  time  wo  realized  we  could  not 
then  make  the  Order  efficient  along  the  lines  of  its  first  years 
— and  with  this  feeling  of  distrust  it  was  not  an  easy  selec 
tion  of  a  successor. 

I  do  not  remember  whether  General  Kimball,  as  Chair 
man  of  the  Council,  or  whether  I,  as  Adjutant-General, 
issued  the  order  for  the  4th  State  Encampment,  which  con 
vened  in  the  following  January,  1869. 

As  I  now  remember,  some  forty  Posts — forty-one,  I 
think — responded  to  the  order.  I  was  chosen  Department 
Commander.  The  records  o>f  this  Encampment  wcro  turned 
over  to  my  successor,  Colonel  Humphrey,  and  lost,  as  here 
tofore  mentioned.  The  burden,  with  all  my  efforts  to  keep 
it  off  Foster,  fell  at  last  upon  myself.  The  officers-elect  were 


History  of  ike   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      163 

announced  in  Genc/ral  Orders,  No.  1,  4th  Series,  dated  Indi 
anapolis,  May,  1869. 

"I.  The  following  officers,  chosen  at  the  recent  State 
Encampment,  are  herewith  announced  for  the  information 
of  this  Department : 

"Commander:     0.  M.  Wilson,  Indianapolis. 

"Senior  Vice-Commander:     J.  E.  Hallowell,  Eockville. 

"Junior  Vice-Commander :    J.  Turnock,  South  Bend. 

"Assistant  Inspector-General :  E.  S.  Eobertson,  Fort 
Wayne. 

"Assistant  Quartermaster-General:  W.  M.  Wiles,  Indi 
anapolis. 

"Assistant  Surgeon-General :  Samuel  Davis,  New 
Trenton. 

"Grand  Chaplain :    N.  S.  Smith,  Fort  Wayne. 

"II.  Private  M.  G.  McLain  is  herewith  announced 
as  Assistant  Adjutant- General,  and  will  be  respected 
accordingly. 

"III.  It  is  gratifying  to  announce  that  the  efforts  made 
by  your  past  officers  towards  advancing  the  position  of  our 
Order  to  a  closer  brotherhood  have  not  been  in  vain. 
A  new  work  embracing  an  entire  change  of  the  unwrit 
ten  work  in  three  parts,  and  an  elaborate  constitution  wrere 
adopted  at  the  last  National  Encampment  held  at  Cincin 
nati,  May  llth  and  12th,  and  will  soon  be  promulgated  to 
the  Order.  When  received  at  these  headquarters,  notice  will 
be  made  and  full  instruction  issued,  which  will  be  given  to 
Posts  by  an  aide-de-camp. 

"All  Posts  retaining  their  organization  are  requested  to 
report  at  once  by  letter  to  the  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


164     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of   i/te  Republic. 

"Posts  arc  requested  to  carry  out  General  Orders,  No.  21, 
of  National  Headquarters,  designating  the  29th  and  30th 
clay  of  May  'to  decorate  the  graves  of  our  deceased  comrades, 
and  promptly  report  their  proceedings  to  these  headquarters. 

"IV.  Though  the  spirit  and  letter  of  our  Constitution 
makes  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  a  Soldiers'  Brother 
hood,  yet  to  successfully  prove  our  sincerity,  it  must  have 
that  cordial  unanimity  and  purity  of  purpose  at  every 
threshold  to  preserve  intact  its  great  principles,  and  perpet 
uate  its  richest  blessings.  Our  opportunities  arei  always;  our 
duty  eternal.  Jn  our  Order  it  is  not  the  province  of  an  offi 
cer  to  command :  only  execute!  what  others  may  direct,  and 
direct  only  in  what  may  be  given  for  guidance  in  the  gem- 
eral  interest  and  welfare  of  all.  In  this  spirit,  with  this 
duty,  is  this  trust  and  honor  received. 

"0.  M.  WILSON, 
"Department  Commander. 

"Official. 

"M.  G.  MCLAIN, 

"Assistant  Adjutant-General/' 

There  were  several  reasons  for  the  delay  in  issuing  this 
order.  One  was  a  feeling,  pretty  general,  that  the  Grand 
-Army  had  about  performed  its  mission,  as  first  conceived. 
The  new  plant  that  had  been  set  out  at  Philadelphia  was 
slow  to  take  on  its  growth.  Another  reason  was  my  in- 
'ability  to  find  the  right  man  for  Adjutant-General,  until 
McLain  was  developed.  Another  reason  was,  I  was  Secre 
tary  of  the  Indiana  Senate,  and  could  not  give  my  time, 
nor  did  I  want  to  commit  mv  army  duties  to  another  until 


History  of  tUe  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      165 

[  could  co-operate  with  him,  though  in  this  time  there  was 
much,  correspondence  with  Posts.  McLain  fortunately  was 
State  Librarian,  and,  as  custodian  of  the  State  House,  se 
lected  one  of  the  vacant  Senate  Committee  rooms  for  head 
quarters.  Our  efforts,  however,  were  directed  more  to  hold 
ing  the  Order  together  than  to  strengthen  or  expand  it,  pre 
ferring  to  let  time  work  out  a  solution  of  issues  made  at 
the  Cincinnati  Encampment. 

Nevertheless,  as  will  lx>  seen  from  the  following,  the 
Department  of  Indiana  was  ydt  strong  enough  and  suffi 
ciently  recognized  to  carry  out  Department  orders  for  the 
"decoration  of  graves  of  our  deceased  comrades/7  in  obedi 
ence  to  Genoral  Orders,  No.  21,  National  Headquarters. 


166     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


ORDER  OF  PROCESSION  AND  CEREMONIES   OX 

DECORATION    DAY    AT    CROWN    HILL 

CEMETERY,    ON    SATURDAY, 

MAY  29TH,  18G9. 


By  the  Ladies  of  Indianapolis,  under  the  Auspices  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  ike  Republic. 


ORDER  OF  PROCESSION. 
First  Division. 

1.  Pioneers  of  Indianapolis. 

2.  Police  of  Indianapolis. 
Myers'  Band. 

City  Battalion,  commanded  by  General  Fred  Knefler. 

5.  Soldiers'  Orphans. 

6.  Ladies  in  charge  of  Decoration. 

7.  Governor  Baker  and  Staff. 

8.  Department  Commander  G.  A.  II.  and  Staff. 

9.  Members  of  G.  A.  R.  and  ex-Soldiers  U.  S.  A. 

10.  Masonic  Orders. 

11.  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Second  Division. 
1.    Martial  Band. 

U.  S.  Arsenal  Guard. 
Ministers  in  Carriages. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     167 

4.  U.  S.  Officers  in  Carriages. 

5.  State  Officers  in  Carriages. 
G.    County  Officers  in  Carriages. 

7.  City  Officers  in  Carriages. 

8.  Temperance  Organizations. 

9.  German  Maennerchor  and  Societies. 

Third   Division. 

1.  The  Press. 

2.  Sabbath  Schools. 

3.  Merchants'  and  Manufacturers'  Exchange. 

4.  Board  of  Trade. 

5.  Butchers'  Associations. 

0.    Officers  of  Benevolent  Institutions. 

7.  Schools  of  Indianapolis. 

8.  Citizens  in  Carriages. 

Marshals. 

Chief  Marshal — Comrade  Daniel  Macauley. 

Assistants — Charles  F.   Hogato,  J.  William   Bradshaw, 
and  Joseph  P.  Wiggins. 

Marshals  First  Division — Comrades  E.  F.  Ritter  and  Lea 
W.  Munhall. 

Second  Division — Comrades  Frank  Erdelmyer  and  Chas. 
AY.  B rouse. 

Third  Division — David  Braden  and  Henry  L.  Benham. 
f      The  first  division  will  form  in  the  order  above  named  on 
East  Ohio  Street,  right  resting  on  Meridian  Street. 

The  second  division  will  form  on  West  Market,  west  of 
Circle  and  Meridian  streets,  right  resting  on  Ohio  Street. 
11— 


168      History  of'  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  third  division  will  form  on  East  Market  and  East 
Circle  Street,  right  resting  on  northeast  cormir  of  Circle  and 
Meridian  streets. 

Divisions  \viJl  form  in  such  time  as -to  he  ready  to  move 
promptly  at  1  o'clock  p.  in. 

Kach  "Order'"  or  ''Association"  will  .take  its  place  and 
number  in  its  Division,  and  report  its  arrival  to  the  Chief 
Marshal  or  his  assistants,  at  the  corner  of  Meridian  and  Ohio 
-treats.  Any  "Order"  or  "Association"  not  vet  reported  will 
join  the  Third  ..Division  and  report  it.-  presence  to  the 
Marshal. 

All  associations  are  requested  to  furnish  their  own  trans 
portation,  if  possible. 

The  different  Orders  on  foot  will  take  ihe  street-cars  at. 
the  end  of  the  line  of  inarch,  which . will  be  north  on  Merid 
ian  to  Si.  Clair  Street,  and  west  on  St.  Clair  to  Illinois. 
where  the  cars  will  be  entered  l>//  l//c  /jrorrsxian  mi///,  as  fas; 
:i>  the  column  mores  up.  ; ' 

'Care  should  be  taken,  upon  entering  the  cars,  to  preserve 
the  order  of  the  procession,  as  it  will  be  re-formed  before 
i'litering  the  Cemetery. 

Citizens  are  advised  to  take  the  street-cars  to  the  Cem 
etery  during  the  morning  of  the  2<)tli,  in  order  that  no  con 
fusion  or  disappointment  may  result,  from  the  fact  that  all 
the  ears  are  secured  for  the  procession  at  one  o'clock. 

There  will  be  ample  time  and  accommodation  for  all  to 
return  to  the  citv. 

I  ).\\  11:1.  M.\<  ATLKY. 

(•hi of  Marshal. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      \W 

OKDKK  OF  CEHKMONY. 

Upon  Reach-in  y  the  Cemetery  the:  Following  Order  will  be 
Observed  in  the  Ceremony  of  Decoration. 

I.  "Assembly." 

'2.  Reading  General  Order,  No.  21,  National  Head 
quarters. 

3.  Hymn,  ".My  Country,  Tis  of  Thee."  Under  direc 
tion  of  Prof.  Black. 

•4.     Prayer,  by  Rev.  Robert  Sloss. 

5.     Ode,  "Our  Heroes."    (Quartette. 

'  (!.     'Burial  Service;  by  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
Rev.  L.  II.  Jameson,  Chaplain  of  Post  No.  (5,  officiating. 

7.  Salute,  by  Zouave  Battalion. 

8.  Decoration  of  tlu>  ({raves,  by  the   ladies  of  Indian 
apolis. 

I).     Oration,  by  Comrade  John  Coburn. 
10.     "Star  Spangled  Banner."  by  Band,  and  a  National 
Salute,  by  the  Hackleman  Battery. 

II.  Benediction,  by  Rev.  Henry  Day. 

0.  M.  WILSOX, 
Department  Commander,  Mqtster  of  Ceremonies. 

General  Orders.  No.  2,  4th  Series,  of  the  Department, 
July  3d,  186!),  promulgated  General  Orders,  No.  :>,  National 
Headquarters,  June  8th,  1801),  containing  the  "resolutions'' 
heretofore  mentioned,  adopted  at  the  Cincinnati  Encamp 
ment  in  May,  I860. 

There  was  a  time  when  we  numbered  over  300  Posts,  but 
consolidation  under  Kimball  and  Foster  had  brought  the 


170     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

number  down  to  less  than  100  when  I  was  chosen  Depart 
ment  Commander.  In  the  latter  part  of  General  Foster's 
administration  the  number  stood  at  268,,  but  this  number 
shrank  very  materially  for  the  reasons  stated,  and  at  this 
time,  June  8th,  1869,  the  orders  of  the  Department  might 
just  as  well  have  been  issued  "To  whom  it  may  concern/' 
for  the  orders,  requiring  extraordinary  obligations  and  im- 
•]x)sing  uncalled-for  and  ceremonious  details  for  reorganiz 
ation  .>  made  it  impossible  to  carry  into  force  any  one  of  their 
provisions.  And  in  addition  to  this  state  of  affairs,  pro 
duced  by  Logan's  order  on  the  "resolutions,"  came  this 
announcement  in  Circular  1  of  date  June  25th,  1869 : 

"All  blanks,  .  .  .  leaves  of  absence,  transfers,  dis 
charges,  descriptive  books  for  Adjutants,  and  applications 
'for  membership  to  the  grades  of  recruit,  soldier,  and  vet 
eran  will  be  furnished  to  Posts,  through  their  respective 
headquarters,  at  the  following  rates: 

"Rituals,  seven  (7)  in  a  set,  containing  the  work,  three 
grades,  $3.00  per  set. 

"Rituals,  bound  in  cloth,  $5.00  per  set. 

"Rules  and  regulations,  $10.00  per  hundred  copies. 

"Proceedings  of  the  Xational  Encampment,  $20.00  per 
100  copies. 

"Applications  (three  forms),  $1.00  per  100  copies. 

"Adjutant's  reports,  10  cents  per  copy. 

"Quartermaster's  reports,  8  cents  per  copy. 

"Post  descriptive  books,  $3.50  per  copy. 

"Inspector's  reports  of  all  kinds,  10  cents  per  copy. 

"Assistant  Adjutant-General's  reports,  10  cents  per 
copy. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     171 

"Assistant  Quartermaster-General's  reports,  10  cents 
per  copy. 

"Post-Surgeon's  relports,  5  cents  per  copy. 

"Medical  Director's  reports,  10  cents  per  copy. 

"Judge  Advocate's  reports,  10  cents  per  copy. 

"Leaves  of  absence,  transfers,  and  'discharges,  $5.00  per 
100  copies. 

"Posts  will  make;  prompt  requisition  upon  their  respect 
ive  Department  Headquarters,  accompanied  with  the  cash 
for  books,  blanks,  etc.,  and  Departments  will  in  turn  make 
requisition  upon  these  headquarters." 

Certainly.  This  already  systematized  "hold-up"  and 
official  robbery — I  called  it  so  then,  and  I  call  it  so  now— 
under  the  cloak  of  promoting  a  great  fraternal  brotherhood 
of  soldiers,  declared  Department,  Post,  and  comrade  dis 
loyal  if  its  behests  were  not  promptly  met.  The  idea  that 
a  comrade  in  this  organization,  founded  only  on  comrade 
ship  and  good-fellowship,  should  be  required  to  have  a 
"leave  of  absence"  from  his  Post,  or  a  "transfer,"  or  a 
^discharge" !  that  there  should  be  "an  inspector"  to  report 
the  material,  mental,  physical,  and  presumably  sanitary 
condition  of  his  Post!  that  there  should  be  Post  "descrip 
tive  books,"  lest  he,  should — desert,  probably,  and  wander 
off  to  some  other  camp  of  veterans  and  fraternize,  because, 
mayhaps,  some  old  "coffee  cooler"  was  there  who  had 
"drunk  from  the  same  canteen"  with  him !  No,  it  was  not 
this.  It  was  to  manufacture  something  out  of  which  money 
could  be  filched  from  comrades,  under  pretense  of  the  lib 
erty  to  enjoy  the  right  of  fellowship  in  this  Order.  These 


172     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repubftc. 

matters  were  all  freely  discussed  by  our  comrades,  and 
condemned. 

1  remember  MeLain,  my  Adjutant-General,  when  we 
got.  this  order,  after  reading  it,  interspersed  with  divers 
figures  of  speech,  looked  up  at  me;  as  I  was  standing  by 
his  side  watching  the  effect  upon  him,  and  exclaimed: 
"What  do  they  take  us  for,  anylioiu — damn  fools?"  "Evi 
dently  so,  Me,"  I  replied;  "however,  we  will  give  the  boys 
a  chance  to  say  something/'  General  Orders,  No.  2,  4th 
Series,  followed,  with  marked  emphasis: 

"Post  Commanders  and  officers  of  the  Department  arc 
requested  to  assemble  at  Department  Headquarters  Julv 
lrlst,  18(19,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  instruction  in  the 
late  revised  rules  and  regulations  governing  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  Posts  desiring  a  reorganization,  to 
vbe  represented  in  this  assembly,  must  proceed  to  elect  new 
officers  prior  to  the  21st,  and  come  iiji  irlth  the  assessment. 
.  .  .  It  is  expected  all  reports  will  be  made  promptly." 

These  "assessments"  were  to  pay  "an  adequate  salary  of 
the  Assistant  Adjutant-General  and  Inspector-General/'  All 
ill  is  was  in  "obedience  to  •' orders'7  Iroim  National  Headquar 
ters.  Further : 

"Comrades  will  see  that  they  are  now  entering  upon  a: 
work  unlike  the  former,  and  which  will  require  the  earnest 
effort  of  officers  to  inaugurate  throughout  the  Department, 

"It  is  found  impossible  to  calculate  the  dues  of  many 
Posts,  and  in  order  to  enable  all  who  desire  to  enjoy  the 
lew-fits  of  the  new  work  to  stand  on  an  equal  ground  with 
others,  an  assessment  on  the  comparative  membership  has 


History  of  f/ie   Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic.      173 

been  declared  the  most  acceptable  method  of  attaining  the 
end  sought. 

"The  now  constitution  ]><' nulls  an  assessment  of  50 
cents  on  each  member.  The  emergency  must  he  great  to 
demand  this.  That  of  this  Department  is  great,  but  not 
greater-  than,  it  is  thought,  will  bo  covered  bv  the  present 
assessment,  which,  when  paid,  will  entitle  the  Posts  to  re 
ceive  the  new  work,  and  not  before. 

"Posts  that  have  failed  to  report  within  one  year  will 
not  receive  notice.  All  Posts  to  whom  notice  is  sent,  fail 
ing  to- comply  with  the  above  'orders'  prior  to  July  'Mst, 


The  spirit  of  this  order  cannot  be  interpreted  now  as  it 
was  then.  Tho  Xationa!  "order"  was  sent  with  our  order 
that  the  souree  of  instructions  might  be  known.  "There 
was  not  a  Po<t  that  was  not  in  sympathy  with  Depart  mom 
Headquarters.  Tho  schedule  of  prices  for  blanks,  etc.,  wa- 
-ont  along.  Aiany  PoMs  never  answered.  Some  sarcasm 
accompanied  some  of  the  answers.  One  said:  "Can't  raise 
money  enough  to  buy  a  "leave  of  absence7  to  come  up  to 
headquarters  to  see  you  about  it."  Another:  "The  Post 
is  in  too  deep  a  hole.'-  One  wanted  a  "thousand"  commis 
sions — pink  satin — to  distribute  fo  the  poor/'  One  was: 
'•\Ye  'II  see  Grant  about  it."  These  1  recall,  but  they  alway.- 
tame  on  separate  slips  of  paper,  not  on  the  ollicial  letter. 
except  in  one  case  where  it  was  added  as  a  postscript. 

Even  to  reorganize  meant  the  entail  merit  of  an  expense 
that  was  considered  unwarranted  and  exorbitant — a  system 
of  tribute  that  was  denounced  and  repudiated. 


174     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

However,,  the  broadest  latitude  was  given  the  Posts 
without  imposing  harsh  measures.  Everything  was  left  to 
their  own  desire,  and  that  all  might  have  a  voice,  a  year's 
time  was  authorized  to  elapse  from  the  time  restrictions  and 
exactions  were  placed  around  and  upon  their  old  Post  or 
ganization  under  the  plain,  simple,  all-sufficient  Stephen- 
son  Constitution  and  Eitual. 

Though  the  proceedings  of  this  assembly  on  the  21st  of 
July,  1869,  were  lost  in  the  following  year,  with  others  as 
heretofore  shown,  I  remember  the  spirit  of  the  meeting  and 
'the  discussions  by  a  large  number  of  the  comrades.  Some 
represented  Posts  reorganized;  others  came  to  fully  know 
the  situation,  and  what  was  best  to  be  done,  and  the  easiest 
way  to  do  it.  It  was  a  query,  what  was  to  become  of  mem 
bers  who  had  failed  to  report,  because  there  were  no  regular 
meetings  of  the  Post  to  report  to,  and  others  who  had  been 
dropped,  and  yet  the  Post  had  failed  to  keep  up  a  proper 
'organization.  In  the  face  of  this  "sea  of  troubles,"  I  de 
clined  to  enforce  "obedience  to  orders,"  and  directed  the  rep 
resentatives  to  build  up  and  hold  thejir  Post  organizations, 
as  it  had  always  existed,  until  I  could  explain  the  situation 
to  National  Headquarters. 

While  we  were  satisfied  we  were  doing  all  things  for  the 
best,  and  would  eventually  be  able  to>  soften  down  some  of 
the  iron-clad  features  of  General  Orders  from  National 
Headquarters,  on  that  same  day,  July  21st,  1869,  was  pro 
mulgated  General  Orders,  No.  4,  National  Headquarters, 
transmitting  "additional  regulations  relative  to  admitting 
comrades  to  the  grades  of  recruit,  soldier,  and  veteran." 


I 


MAJOR  O.  M.  WILSON.     (1866.) 

Adjutant-General  Department  of  Indiana  and  Acting  Provisional  National 
Adjutant-General,  July  1866  to  Nov.  21,  1866.  Adjutant-General-Elect,  Depart 
ment  of  Indiana,  Nov.  1866  to  Jan.  1868.  Adjutant-General  Department  of 
Indiana,  Jan.  1868  to  Jan.  1869.  Department  Commander,  Jan.  1869  to  Jan. 
1870. 


History  of  flic  Grand  Army  of  ilia,  Republic.      175 

Had  this  order  been  received  during  our  session,  the  De 
partment  of  Indiana  would  then  and  theiv  have  "tied  up." 

So  far  as>  the  Department  was  concerned.,  the  erncial  test 
was  now  being  made.  I  knew  it  was  impossible  to  try  to 
'hold  our  organization  to  a  strict  compliance  with  the  (Jcn- 
eral  Order,  Xo.  -1,  and  so  reported  to  National  Headquar 
ters.,  stating  that  I  would  endeavor  to  enforce  it,  but  the1 
innovation  was  so  great  I  thought  the  Posts  would  be  un 
able  to  maintain  their  organization. 

On  September  loth,  1SG1),  General  Order,  Xo.  3,  4th 
.Series,  Department  of  Indiana,  was  issued  to  this  effect: 

"I.  After  consultation  with  National  Headquarters, 
and  upon  a  decision  of  the  Judge,  Advocate,  the  Depart 
ment  Commander  assumes  the  responsibility,  and  hereby 
Orders,  that  the  time  for  instructing  all  members  in  the  new 
work  he  extended  to  the  1st  dav  of  October,  1S(>9.  Com 
rades  must  understand  that  no  further  extension  of  time 
will  he  granted.  II  thev  do  not  take  advantage  of  the  oppor 
tunity  by  that  date,  they  will  be  out  of  the  Order,  and  to 
re-enter  it  will  have  to  go  through  the  same  forms,  and  sub 
mit  to  all  the  probations  now  required  of  persons  who  have 
never  teen  members.'''' 

II.     Directs  the  Posts  to  prepare  for  inspection. 

llf.  Asks  Posts  to  be  prompt  in  forwarding  dues,  and 
per  capita  tax  levied  by  National  Headquarters  upon  each 
member  of  the  various  grades  of  the  Order. 

"IV.  In  organizing  and  enlisting  members,  the  strict 
est  caution  is  required,  and  under  no  circumstances  shall 
any  be  allowed  to  advance  from  one  grade  to  another  unless 


176     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

such  person  has  proven  himself,  in  former  actions  and  con 
nections  with  the  Order,  worthy  of  the  trust  about  to  be 
confided  in  him.  The  officers  of  the  different  Posts  are 
expected  to  enforce  all  orders  promptly  and  conform,  strictly 
to  the  revised  rules  and  regulations  governing  the  Order. 

"V.  Posts  wishing  to  reorganize  under  the  new  work 
will  report  the  fact  to  these  headquarters. 

"VI.  (1)  Since  the  inauguration  of  the  new  work- 
July  1st,  1869,  the  number  of  the  Posts  of  this  Department 
will  hereafter  be  known  according  to  the  date  of  their  re 
organization.  Each  Post,  if  it  desires,  will  in  connection 
with  its  number,  select  the  name  of  some  comrade  whose 
memory  it  may  especially  cherish,  by  which  it  may  be 
designated. 

"(2)     .... 

"(3)  The  organization  of  the  following  Posts  is  here 
by  announced : 

"No.  5,  at  Vincennes,  Knox  County:  Commander,  J.  S. 
Ostrander. 

{  "No.  39,  at  Madison,  Jefferson  County :  Commander,  X. 
A.  Logan. 

"No.  72,  at  Fort  Wayne,  Allen  County :  Commander,  W. 
H.  Davis. 

"No.  17,  at  South  Bend,  St.  Joseph  County :  Command 
er,  Joseph  Turnock. 

"No.  115,  at  Ellettsville,  Monroe  County:  Commander, 
Henry  Eakin. 

"No.  243,  at  Petersburg,  Pike  County :  Commander, 
David  M.  Tyler." 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     177 

Organization  in  this  paragraph  meant  "re-organ'ization." 
"VII 

"VIII.  ...  No  doubt  many  comrades  find  it  dif 
ficult  to  realize  that  from  the  crude  and  uncertain  condition 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic  in  former  days  it  would 
be  impossible  for  any  sudden  transition  to  a  better  state, 
but  our  fraternity  has  been  advanced  beyond  a  mere  asso 
ciation  to  an  enviable  position  among  the  benevolent  orders 
of  the  age.,  and  in  its  mission  it  seeks  the  accomplishment 
of  all  that  would  make  a  great  Xation  proud  of  its  name, 
and  that  inborn  patriotism  of  its  people  to  one  country  and 
one  flag.  Comrades  desiring  its  fellowship  must  seek  its 
outposts:  the  camp  is  not  pitched  under  the  footfall  of  the 
recruit. 

"By  order  of  the  Commander,, 

"0.  M.  WILSOX, 

"M.  G.  McLAix, 

"Assistant  Adjutant-General/' 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  Ehis  National  General 
Order,  No.  4,  July  21st,  1809,  was  to  enforce  the  revised 
rules  of  May  12th  and  13th,  18G9,  made  at  Cincinnati  En 
campment,  bearing  on  arrearages,  dues,  assessments,  and 
'per  capita  tax,  as  a  kind  of  purgative  preparation,  to  apply 
ing  the  "resolutions"  of  that  Encampment,  putting  in  force 
or  providing  a  method  for  putting  in  force  and  operation 
the  new  Ritual  of  three  degrees. 

This  re-creation  of  the  Order  lacked  many  essential  in 
gredients  for  success,  aside  from  the  above.  Departments 
ivere  compelled  to  buy  their  supplies  of  every  kind  from 


ITS      Hisluj'ij  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

National  Headquarters  at  several  hundred  per  cent  above 
war  prices,  when  the  Department  of  Indiana  never. charged, 
as  a  rule,  for  any  supplies  of  any  kind  furnished- its  Posts. 
There  may  have  heen  exceptions  in  some  cases,  but  I  cannot 
now  recall  a  single  instance  where  a  charge  was  made  upon 
or  exacted  from  any  Post  for  Rituals,  Constitutions,  blanks, 
etc.,  of  any  kind.  As  I  now  remember,  the  Charter  fee  was 
'supposed  to  cover  all  these  essentials.  The  conditions  under 
which  we  were  organized  seemed  to  he  either  overlooked,  or 
will  fully  ignored  when  this  General  Order,  No.  4,  was  pro 
mulgated,  which  virtually  made  it  impossible  for  a  Post 
to  exist.  I  had  asked  the  privilege  of  furnishing  my  own 
Department  wSth  blanks,  etc.,  and  I  protested  emphatically 
in  plain  language  against  the  charge  for  Rituals,  blank  re 
ports,  etc.,  but  to  no  avail.  My  request  was  denied,  i 
knew  it  would  be. 

Rather  than  sacrifice  the  truth  of  history  for  brevity's 
sake.  1  give  here  this  General  Order.  No.  4,  dated  July 
21st,  ISOi),  National  "Headquarters.  Washington: 

"Headquarters  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
"Adjutant-GeneraTs  Office,  411  F  Street. 

"Washington,  I).  C.,  July  '31, .  1S09. 
"General  Orders,  No.    1. 

"J.  The  following  additional  regulations  relative  to 
admitting  comrades  to  the  grade's  of  Recruit,  Soldier,  and 
'Veteran  are  hereby  published  for  thej  information  of  the 
ollicers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic, 
and  thev  will  be  governed  accordingly: 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      179 

al.  All  officer*  and  members  of  the  Xational  Encamp 
ment  and  Department  Encampments,  and  all  officers  of 
Posts  who  have  or  may  hereafter  receive  the  work  of  Re- 
emit,  Soldier,  and  Veteran,  will  make  out  and  file  with  the 
Post  of  which  they  are  members  the  three  forms  of  applica 
tion  to  said  grades,  and  at  the  same  time  pay  to  the  Post 
Quartermaster  the  regular  fee  of  ten  (10)  cents  required 
by  the  Rules  and  Regulat ions. 

'"'.  All  past  ollict .  rs  and  members  of  Departments,  and 
all  past  officers  and  present,  members  of  Post*  who  are  en- 
tilled  to  the  gradds  of  Recruit,  Soldier,  or  Veteran,  shall, 
before  receiving  the  new  work,  make  out  and  file  with  the 
Post  of  which  thev  are  members  the  regular  forms  of  appli 
cation  for  membership.  The.  applications  will  he  referred 
to  a  committee,  whose  duty  il  will  he  to  examine  the  appli 
cants  discharge  or  muster-oul  papers,  and  call  upon  the 
Post  ^iiartrjrmas.tcr  and  ascertain  their  standing  with  his 
Department;  if  found  in  good  standing  and  clear  from  all 
dues,  thev  will  he  mustered  as  provided  by  the  Ritual,  with 
out  ballot  and  without  unnecessary  delay.  The  foregoing 
regulations  are  nteesi-ary  in  order  to  eompN  te  the  Po>t  rec 
ord  of  membership. 

"o.  Charter  members  and  officers  of  Posts  that  have 
not  been  organized  eight  months  shall  receive  the  IK  w  work 
of  the  three  grades:  Provided,  that  thev  are  in  good  stand 
ing  and  free  from  all  dues. 

"Thn  other  members  of  such  Posts  will  be  admitted  to 
Hie  several  grades  as  they  become  eligible. 


180     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"4.  The  charter  members  of  new  Posts,  upon  their 
organization,  will  be  instructed  in  the  work  of  the  three 
grades. 

"II.  The  Department  dues  to  the  National  Encamp 
ment  will  be  at  the  rate  of  two  (2)  cents  per  capita  per 
annum  for  the  quarter  ending1  March  31,  1809,  and  there 
after  at  the  rate  of  four  (4)  cents  per  capita  per  annum. 

"III.  Department,  and  Post  Commanders  will  take 
notice  that  the  Rules  and  Regulations,  and  resolution  of  the 
National  Encampment,  held  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  make  it 
the  duty  of  the  Adjutant-General  to  furnish  all  blanks  re 
quired  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  also 
the  Ritual,  Rules  and  Regulations. 

"IV.  The  prices  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations,  and 
blanks,  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  as  announced  in  Circular  No.  1,  C.  S.,  are  hereby 
revised,  and  will  be  furnished  as  follows: 

"Assistant  Adjutants-Getneral,  Assistant  Quartermasters- 
General,  and  Medical  Directors'  reports  without  charge; 
Rules  and  Regulations,  $5  per  100  copies  to  Departments, 
and  $6  to  Posts;  applications  for  membership,  same  as  stat 
ed  in  Circular;  Post  Adjutants*  reports  to  Departments,  at 
$5  por  100  copies;  Post  Surgeons'  and  Quartermasters'  re 
ports  to  Departments,  at  $1  per  hundred  (100)  copies; 
Inspectors'  reports  to  Departments,  at  $3  per  100  copies; 
Leaves  of  Absence,  Transfers,  and  Discharges,  to  Depart 
ments,  at  $5  par  100  copies.  The  Post  descriptive  book  is 
ruled  to  embrace  every  fact  contained  in  the  application  for 
(membership,  and  contains  four  full  quires,  and  it  is  very 


History  of  the   Grand   Army  of   the   Republic.      181 

'important  that  each  Post  be  provided  with  one  in  starting 
out  with  the  new  organization. 

"V.  The  Commander-in-ehiof  desires  to  call  special  at 
tention  to  the  Surgeons'  reports,  which,  if  filled  out  as  pro 
vided  for.  will  furnish  much  valuable1  information  for  our 
organization,  and  it  is  earnestly  hoped  that  every  Post  Sur 
geon  will  make  careful  examination,  and  report  the  facts 
called  for  therein. 

"VI 

"VII.  Departments  arc1  called  upon  to  IK;  prompt  in 
making  quarterly  reports  at  the  time  called  for,  and  if  there 
are  any  Posts  who  have,  not  reported  within  the  time  spec 
ified  in  tin?  Rules  and  Regulations,  they  will  lie  reported  as 
delinquent.  All  reports  from  the  Assistant  Adjutants- 
general,  Assistant  Quartermasters-General,  Assistant  In 
spectors-General,  and  Medical  Directors,  should  be  forward 
ed  through  National  Headquarters  to  the  proper  officers. 

"VIII.  General  Orders  from  these  headquarters  will 
be  furnished  to  Departments  in  numbers  sufficient  to  supply 
each  Post  with  a  copv,  free  of  charge. 

"IX.      .      .      .      '." 

"l>y  order  of 

".JoiiN'  A.  LOGAN, 
"( Commander-in-chief. 
"\V.M.  T.  COLLINS. 
"- 1  djutant-Genjeral" 

Comrade*  must  remember  that  between  then  and  now 
more  than  thirty  years  have  passed:  then  thev  were  active, 
and  iilled  with  the  enthusiasm  that  would  riot  submit  to  re- 

12—"* 


182     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

straint  or  imposition  with  the  indifference  they  would  now ; 
they  needed  no  formula  to  hold  their  fellowship  as  com 
rades  ;  they  had  not  been  off  "the  front"  so  long  that  they 
had  to  be  taught  what  it  was  to  "touch  elbow"  as  com 
rades — all  were  veterans,  and  they  regarded  this  "Kitual 
business,"  as  it  was  designated,  "play  soldiers."  Posts  could 
not  reorganize  unless  they  paid  their  dues  and  assessments. 
This,  then,  was  the  ultimatum,  not  the  fact  that  you  were 
a  comrade.  You  must  pay  old  dues,  etc.,  under  an  old  or 
ganization,  that  was  now  practically  wiped  out,  if  you 
wished  affiliation  in  this  new  order  of  things.  You  must 
pay  for  something  this  new  condition  had  abrogated  and 
made-  impossible  to  exist.  Members,  feeling  the  restraint 
not  imposed  when  they  took  their  obligation,  felt  no  desire 
to  continue  their  membership;  and  thus  whatever  course 
either  took,  if  they  reorganized,  each  man  would  have  to 
file  his  application  for  new  membership,  and  for  this  he 
was  taxed,  and  then  his  Post  would  have;  to  tax  him  to  pay 
its  assessment,  and  this  to  be  repeated  in  the  process  of 
advancing  through  all  the  grades,  which,  as  it  was  often 
expressed,  involved  neither  charity,  fraternity,  nor  loyalty, 
but  the  payment  of  money  without  any  value  received,  or 
future  reward  promised  greater  than  at  present  enjoyed. 

Either  by  mail  or  in  person  at  Department  Headquar 
ters  these  matters  were  the  subject  of  discussion.  I  remem 
ber  a  committee  from  a  Post — in  Boone  County,  I  think — 
came  down  for  "instructions."  We  had  just  received  Gen 
eral  Order,  No.  5,  from  headquarters,  and  I  read  it  to  them. 
One  of  its  provisions  related  to  a  "certificate  of  member- 


t         History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     183 

ship."  "What 's  the  use  of  such  rigmarole  ?v  exclaimed  one 
of  the  boys.  "Certificate?  By  golly,  our  certificate's  'forty 
rounds'!  That's  all  we  want.  No  fellow  wants  to  bring 
his  certificate  to  me!  that  he  's  a  soldier,  or  a  G.  A.  R.  man ! 
I  '11  prove  him  mighty  quick." 

This  was  simply  one  of  the  many  instances  of  a  spirit  of 
resistance  to  innovation.  Howevetr,  there  was  one  feature 
in  this  Order  that  attracted  attention,  and  it,  for  the  time, 
gave  hope  that  some  good  or  personal  benefit  might  yet 
come  to  the  comrade  if  in  thei  Order;  that  was  the  proposed 
insurance  feature.  It  met  with  approval*  At  the  same 
time  doubt  was  expressed  if  it  would  not  be  so  hedged,  and 
made  so  exclusive  as  to  admit  only  certain  ones  to  its  ben 
efits.  For  instance,  the  Veteran  grade  only,  thereby  com 
pelling  a  comrade  to  pass  up  through  the  others,  with  his 
dues,  assessments  and  tax  before  he  could  be  eligible  to  re 
ceive  the  insurance.  It  met  also  with  suspicion  that  it  was 
an  additional  device  for  somebody  to  make  money  off  the 
Order;  to  make  a  new  bureau,  or  department  of  insurance, 
to  pension  on  good  salaries  certain  parasites  that  were  al 
ready  feeding  on  the  Order. 

The  circumstances  surrounding  this  "Order,"  the  pur 
poses  it  sought,  led  to  the  following  Department  Circular, 
dated  October  4th,  1869 : 

"CIRCULAR. — Provision  is  made  in  the  rules  and  reg 
ulations  governing  our  Order  for  assessing  Posts  in  case  of 
exigency  to  meet  certain  Department  expenses.  The  Com 
mander  is  not  willing  to  ask  the  payment  of  an  additional 
assessment  for  the  purpose  expressed  in  the  following  parts 


184       I/isf-wi/  of  the  (irand  Army  of  tlto  Republic. 

of  (ienoral  Order.  Xo.  5,  dated  Washington,  1).  C.,  Septem 
ber  l-")lh.  IS(iJ),  as  follows: 

"*JI.  It  is  hereby  ordered  i:i  accordance  with  Sec.  !), 
Art.  VI..  of  the  Revised  'Rules  and  Regulations,  that  the 
National  Council  of  Administration  convene  in  special 
meeting  on  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  October  proximo,  at 
1 'J  o'clock  noon,  iii  th<;  city  of  Xew  York. 

''III.  The  National  Council  of  Administration  hav 
ing,  through  a  majority  of  its  members,  approved,  by  letter, 
of  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee),  appointed  by  the 
National  Kncanipinent  to  examine  into  the  jti'ai-ticability  of 
organizi.ng  a  scheme  of  co-operative  life  insurance  Tor  "the 
( » rand  Ai'my — nanndy,  to  call  an  extra  session  of  the  Na 
tional  Encampment,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  a  special  meet 
ing  of  the  National  Encampment'  assemble  on  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  October  proximo.  1^  o'clock  noon,  in  tho  city 
of  NCAV  York. 

"  'The  following  subjects  will  be  submitted  for  action  by 
this  special  meeting — yiz. : 

''•"I.  T\  ne  extension  of  time  for  muster  beyond  the  first 
day  of  September  to  old  comrades. 

"  '2.  To  adopt  or  reject  the  report  of  the  committee 
Appointed  to  look  into  the  practicability  of  connecting  a  life 
insurance  plan  with  the  (Jrand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

:' '3.  To  adopt  a  badge,  commission,  and  certificate  of 
membership  for  the  organization. 

"  '4.  To  consider  several  other  subjects  of  importance 
which  will  be  brought  before  the  Encampment.' ': 

Great  stress  was  laid  in  this  General  Order  upon  the  im 
portance  of  this  joint  meeting  of  the  two  highest  powers 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of   the  Republic.      1S5 

of  the  Order.  Every  subject  for  consideration  fed  my  desire 
to  attend  that  Council.  I  thought  I  saw  a  means  of  pre 
venting  a  disintegration  of  the  Order,  by  adopting  insur 
ance.  The  extension  of  time  for  muster  was  also  imperative, 
and  if  it  was  possible  to  put  it  off  without  a  limit,  by  mak 
ing  it  essential  to  have  every  man  insured,  so  much  the  bet 
ter.  The  fourth  object,  "to  consider  several  other  subjects/1 
determined  my  purpose  to  be  there,  for  I  concluded,  if  ex 
traordinary  power  could  be  used,  as  it  had  been  in  several 
instances,  it  could  be  used  again,  though  my  conviction- 
then  were  that  the  Council  would  be  asked  to  pronounce 
upon  and  confirm  the  rigid  rule1,  that  had  been  prescribed 
for  reorganization. 

The  "Circular"  concluded   with   tin's  paragraph: 

"Though  a  sufficient  sum  is  in  the  Treasury  in  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  Commander  and  Inspector-General  t<> 
'this  National  Encampment,  yet  he  prefers  to  secure  the 
'credit  of  the  Department  at  National  Headquarters  Ivy  pay 
ment  thereto  from  this  fund  of  dues  and  accounts  than  by 
appropriating  this  money.  Therefore,  upon  consultation 
with  Department  officers,  this  Circular  is  issued  to  J'osts 
and  comrades  to  act  in  the  premises  as  they  may  think  best. 
by  remitting  whatever  amount  thev  mav  please.  Reorgan 
ized  Posts  are  re<|ucst(/fl  to  send  to  the  Assistant  Adjulant- 
(ieneral  whatever  suggestions  thev  desire,  upon  the  subject 
matter  before  the  l^ncampmdnt,  that  the  Commander  mav 
have  the  benefit  of  their  wishes  in  the  Council. 

"By  order  of  the  Commander, 

"M.  G.  Me  LAI: \,  "0.  M-.  WILSON, 

"Assistan t  Arfju tan t-Gcneral." 


186     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

I  went  to  this  Council  as  Department  Commander.  1 
'think  I  was  the  only  representative  from  our  State.  The 
Department  of  Indiana  was  again  honored  in  having  her 
Commander  chosen  the  presiding  officer  of  the  Council,  on 
motion  of  Adjutant-General  N.  P.  Chipman,  who  prefaced 
his  motion  with  the  statement  that  "he  was  entitled  to  the 
distinction  by  reason  of  being  the;  Senior  Grand  Army  man 
in  the  Council  and  Order."  I  have  given  his  words  exactly 
as  uttered,  because  they  were  significant  then,  and  may  be 
now,  coming  from  the  source  they  did,  for  Chipman  always 
recognized  Indiana  as  having  first  established  a  de  facto 
organization. 

It  became  my  duty,  as  presiding  officer,  to  appoint  the 
several  committees.  The  Committee  on  Badge  was  thus 
appointed.  Their  recommendation  wa,s  adopted.  It  is  the 
badge  worn  to-day,  with  one  or  two  minor  changes  since 
made. 

The  gentleman  bringing  forward  the  insurance  scheme 
proved  in  almost  a  breath  that  no  single  session  of  a  Coun 
cil  could  consider  a  proposition  that  involved  the  machin 
ery  and  expense  it  required  for  introduction,  and  the  mem 
bers  soon  saw,  and,  seeing,  wearied  with  the  details  of  a 
bubble  so  colossal,  and  on  motion  the  whole  subject  was  re- 
'ferred  to  a  committee  with  power  to  act  along  the  lines  sug 
gested — to  obtain  a  Charter  from  Congress,  if  thought  ad 
visable.  The  Commander-in-chief  was,  on  motion,  made 
chairman  of  this  committee.  There  was  some  quiet  censura 
for  permitting  this  schefme  to  be  brought  into  the  Grand 
Army  councils.  The  plan  was  to  tack  it,  obligations  and 
all,  on  to  the  Ritual. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      187 

The  declaration  made  at  the  Cincinnati  Encampment 
was  re-affirmed,  in  this,  that  the  members  of  the  Order  who 
should  ret-muster  should  be  entitled  to  the  third  degree- 
that  of  Veteran. 

Thus,  again,  by  resolution  was  the  Eitual  to  be  en 
forced,  as  follows : 

"That  all  comrades  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Kepub- 
lic,  made  such  under  the  old  organization  prior  to  the  1st 
day  of  November,  1869,  and  not  in  violation  of  the  quali 
fications  prescribed  by  Art.  IV.,  Chap.  1,  Bevised  Eules  and 
Regulations,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  third  degree  of  the  pres 
ent  organization  upon  taking  the  several  obligations;  Pro 
vided,  they  shall  be  in  good  standing  in  their  several  Posts 
and  Departments,  and  free  from  all  dues  at  the  time  of 
their  application;  and,  provided  further,  that  all  comrades 
and  Posts  of  the*  organization,  who,  having  had  the  oppor 
tunity,  shall  willfully  neglect  or  refuse  to  make  application 
for  membership  under  the  new  organization  on  or  before  the 
31st  day  of  December,  1869,  shall  be  deiprived  of  the  priv 
ilege  accorded  by  this  resolution;  and,  provided  further, 
that  all  other  comrades  of  Posts  not  last  above  described  shall 
make  application  for  membership  under  the  new  organiza 
tion  on  or  before  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  National 
Encampment." 

The  assumption  and  unalloyed,  sublimated  arrogance  of 
the  few  gentlemen  constituting  this  Council  needs  no  head 
light  for  an  exposition  of  their  purpose;  it  is  in  the  resolu 
tion.  I  denied  and  repudiated  the  doctrine  that  the  Grand 
Army  "made  a  comrade";  that  his  membership  depended 


188     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

upon  making  a  new  application;  that  this  body  had  the 
power,  right,  or  authority  to  prejudge  a  comrade  for  his  re 
fusal  to  make  such  application  within  a  certain  time,  after 
which  he  should  he  excluded;  and  that  all  other  comrades, 
not  members,  must  accept  these  imperialistic  conditions  by 
a  certain  time,  or  be  forever  barred. 

Tlie  spirit  of  the  resolution  was  aimed  at  chiefly  west- 
ern  Departments.,  notably  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kansas,  Iowa, 
Missouri,  Wisconsin,  Ohio,  and  Kentucky.  But  few  of  these 
States  were  represented  according  to  my  memory  now. 

Tlia  action  of  the  body  denoted  this  one  purpose —  to 
wipe  out  the  organization  of  18(>(>  that  a  few  chosen  spirits 
might  build  up  a  new  Order  upon  its  ruins.  How  or  upon 
what  principles  it  was  not  declared.  The  strength  of  the 
Order  had  proven  to  be  in  the  West.  National  Headquar- 
ters,  with  Colonel  Timothy  Lubey  as  Quartermaster-General, 
(contracting  for  and  controlling  all  supplies,  found  an  obsta 
cle  and  a  troublesome  one,  in  the;  Department  of  Indiana, 
that  was  able,  and  preferred,  to  furnish  its  own  Posts  with 
all  supplies  without  charge. 

There  were  many  and  serious  conflicts  in  this  Council 
and  out  of  it,  waged  against  the  States  mentioned,  for  not 
supporting  National  Headquarters,  and  it  accordingly  be 
came  necessary  to  destroy  their  power.  We  did  not  want 
the  Revised  Ritual;  the  Kast  did;  it  loved  the  "pomp  and 
circumstance''  of  parade  better  than  we  did.  Another  con 
tention  was,  so  far  as  the  Department  of  Indiana  was  con 
cerned,  against  sustaining  National  Headquarters  with  a 
printing  bureau,  and  the  demands  made  upon  us  for  an 


Histoiry  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the   Republic.      189 

assessment  that  never  was,,  and  never  could  be,  in  the  nature 
of  things,  collected  after  the  edict  of  exclusion  had  been  pro 
mulgated  in  National  Orders. 

General  Foster  had  not  attended  any  of  these  Encamp 
ments  or  Councils,  and  I  was  compelled,,  generally,  to  stand 
alone  in  all  the  struggles  of  1807,  '68  and  '01),  especially  in 
this  Council. 

The  other  "'subjects  of  importance"  were  various  and 
many;  chiefly,  however,  that  one  whereby  members  could 
be  hold  in  the  Order.  There  were  advocates  of  the  Ritual, 
arid  others  who  said  they  doubted  "if  it  would  work."  Gen- 
oral  Shaw,  its  chief  advocate,  and  chairman  of  the  Kitual 
Committee,  suggested  a  plan  he  thought  would  interest  and 
unite  the  comrades,  and  hold  them  in  the  organization.  This 
plan  was,  that  members  should  be  chosen  by  their  Posts  to 
present  at  stated  times  a  paper  on.  some  experience,  event, 
or  incident  of  their  service.  To  be  sure,  this  suggestion  met 
no  opposition,  and  it  afterwards  became  the  subject  of  Gen 
eral  Order,  No.  0,  dated  Washington,  November  4th.  1809. 
Hut  this  Order  never  became  effective  in  the  West,  at  least, 
because  of  the  practical  character  of  the  organization. 

In  this  Council  I  was  asked  by  General  Shaw  how  the 
grade  had  beeui  received  in  Indiana.  I  did  not  hesitate  to 
say  that  I  had  never  been  in  sympathy  with  this  Ritual,  as 
General  Shaw  well  knew,  we  being  on  the  Kitual  Commit 
tee  together;  that  this  Ritual  with  its  three  degrees  had  over 
shot  its  purpose,  that  of  uniting  the  men;  that  instead  of 
bringing  the  soldiers  together  within  a  certain  boundary, 
according  to  their  services,  it  made  it  possible  for  everyone 


190     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

to  reach  the  grade  of  Veteran  by  simply  joining  the  associa 
tion,  so  that  if  his  service  did  not  entitle  him  to  any  such 
distinction,  the  Grand  Army,,  by  leveling  the  highest  to  trie 
grade  of  the  lowest,  and  calling  by  name  a  title  his  service 
did  not  justify,  made  him  such  by  this  KituaL  If  he  was 
not  a  Veteran  in  war,  this  Order  could  make  him  such  by 
calling  him  one.  by  simply  a  paper  declaration,  whether  or 
not  he  had  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  days  of  1861 
and  1865.  Many  good  and  worthy  comrades  objected  to  thit 
process  of  leveling  up  as  a  Veteran,  even  by  name,  the  man 
who  never  got  decently  far  enough  to  the  front  to  be  bap 
tized  in  an  engagement.  To  be  sure,  there  were  soldiers  by 
virtue  of  their  muster  as  such.  At  the  same  time  I  would 
not  be  understood  as  detracting  from  their  patriotism  and 
willingness  to  meet  any  order  and  obeiy  any  command,  but 
if  the  fortunes  of  war  did  not  take  them  to  the  front,  or,  i! 
at  the  front,  did  not  lead  them  into  action,  there  could  not 
be  that  entire  supreme  fellowship  of  comradeship  with  thosfe 
who  had  felt  the  heat  and  passion  of  battle:.  If  we  must 
have  degrees,  this  line  was  not  properly  drawn.  There  was 
an  indifference  among  my  comrades  to  remuster,  for  it  can 
not  be  denied  that  during  the  war  there  was  a  broad  distinc 
tion  between  many  men,  simply  called  soldiers,  and  a  Vet 
eran,  that  denoted  ho  had  been  tried  in  action. 

It  may  seem  strange  that  these  sentiments  met  with  a 
hearty  approval,  in  the  face  of  the  "resolution"  the  Council 
had  adopted.  Some  explained,  saying,  "Wait  and  see." 
Others  said,  "We  're  all  on  a  common  level."  "Then  why," 
I  asked,  "do  we  need  a  Ritual  of  grades  ?  We  never  recog- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      191 

nized  one  above!  the  other  in  Indiana  of  those  who  had  an 
honorable  discharge.  We  stand  on  the  common  platform  ras 
soldiers/  If  the  sentiment  of  comradeship  can't  hold  men 
together,  no  Eitual  can."  Because,  I  declared,  the  General 
Order  dismissing,  suspending,  and  discharging  any  comrade 
from  the  fellowship  of  the  Order,  under  and  in  pursuance 
of  any  resolution  of  instruction  to  the  Commander-in-chief 
putting  in  force  this  Eitual,  or  for  any  purpose  whatsoever, 
was  unconstitutional  and  void;  that  any  additional  or  sup 
plementary  provision  of  power,  not  expressly  given  in  the 
Constitution,  that  was  imposed,  assumed,  or  exercised  by 
this  or  any  other  Encampment  by  resolution  to  enforce  the 
written  work  of  the  Order,  was  unwarranted,  unsoldierly, 
illegal,  and  revolutionary,  and  without  precedent;  that  such 
resolution  and  General  Order  could  not  take  from  a  com 
rade  his  right  of  fellowship,  nor  work  a  forfeiture  of  his 
membership  in  the  Order,  nor  exclude  him  from  the  privi 
leges  of  the  Order;  that  by  his  own  act  only  could  he  be 
denied  the  right  of  affiliation,  other  things  being  equal. 

Because,  I  say,  for  these  declarations  I  was  regarded  in 
almost  open  rebellion,  then  it  was  that  either  General  Chip- 
man  or  General  Whitaker,  of  Connecticut — I  forget  which 
one  it  was — spoke  up :  "I  believe  it  ?s  a  fact,  ain't  it,  Wil 
son,  that  you  Western  men  don't  care  a  damn  for  cere 
mony?"  "But  you  always  get  there,"  piped  in  my  insur 
ance  friend.  Whitaker  was  one  of  the  men  I  instructed  at 
Pittsburg.  He  know,  probably  as  well  as  anyone,  the  spirit 
that  moved  the  "army"  in  the  campaigns  of  1866  and  1868. 
There  was  not  a  comrade  who  took  the  obligation  at  Indiana 


192     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Headquarters  at  Pittsburg,  who  was  in  this  Council,  but  felt 
what  1  said  to  be  true.  They  admitted  that  the  Grand 
Army,  as  then  conceived  and  organized,  was  a  powerful  po 
litical  Juggernaut.  They  remembered,  too-,  that  at  that 
time  the  condition  of  the  country  demanded  that  the  men 
who  stood  together  in  war  should  now  stand  together  in 
peace — that  peace  might  be  preserved  and  perpetuated.  In 
the  nature;  of  things  it  could  not  be  otherwise.  President 
.iohnHm  had  made  his  "break"  with  Congress  and  the  "party"'" 
(hat  had  earrticd  him  into  power  was  the  party  that  sus 
tained  the  soldier  in  the  war.  His  apostasy  naturally  roused 
them  to  bitter  denunciation,  and  they  turned  one  to  the 
other  to  find  the  same  feeling  of  fellowship  and  resolve  with 
de-si  re  for  loyal  expression  as  they  felt  when  in  the  army  as 
soldiers.  The  smell  of  powder  had  not  yet  got  out  of  their 
clothes^  and  ihev  round  in  this  organization — so  far  as  Indi 
ana  was  concerned — all  they  could  desire  for  political  faith. 

And  here  I  feel  it  my  dutv  to  digress  for  a  statement. 
The  soldiers  naturally  resented  disloyalty  from  any  and 
every  source,  of  whatever  phasu,  whether  to  the  flag,  the 
laws  of  the  land,  or  "the  powers  that  be."  But  it  was  not 
only  the  soldier,  hut  the  loyal  sentiment  of  the  North  that 
resented  an  insult,  come  from  whatever  source.  When. 
therefore,  President  Johnson,  "swung  around  the  circle," -he 
invited  opprobrium,  if  noi  attack,  from  the  loval  masses.  At 
Indianapolis  he  met  with  rebuke- — a  stormv  one,  even  dan 
gerous.  It  was  called  by  Johnson's  allies  a  "mob/'  The 
(iraud  Army  was  charged  with  inciting  this  tumult.  It  was 
simply  a  spontaneous  gathering  of  people  to  see  the  'man 


History  of  the   (Intnd  Army   of   tho   Republic.      19o 

who  could  "turn  his  coat."  as  Johnson  had.  lie  wanted  to 
speak  :  they  did  not  want  in  hear  him.  lie  insisted,  they 
"persisted,  and  in  good  nature  prevented  him  from  deliver 
ing  his  "copy  of  the  Constitution,"  as  revised  hv  him.  To 
he  sure,  soldiers  were  there,  as  a  part  of  the  commonwealth 
of  i  ndiana.  They  were  not  armed,  nor  did  they  come  there 
•for  trouble.  But  when  one  man  standing  near  me  hollowed 
''Hurrah  Tor  Jell'  Davis!"  tlh-n  trouble  began:  and  if  con 
fession  will  do  any  good  for  the  soul  for  righteous  deed- 
done  in  the  flesh,  then  I  now  here  confess  that  I  broke  my 
cane  over  that  fellow's  head,  and  whether  from  force  of  ilr.j 
Ulo\vy  or  what  not.  lie  sought  fresh  air  on  the  edu'e  of  tho 
crowd.  Then  a  shot  came,  and  Stewart  fell.  In  a  moment'- 
time  ther  officers  had  the  murderer  in  their  dutches;  one 
whom  I  remember.  I'ryor  'Devol.  commanded  myself  and 
Major  John  X.  Scott,  standing  by  me,  to  assist  in  "taking 
this  man  to  jail."'  We  felt  bound  to  obey.  It  was  a  strug 
gle,  to  get  him  there.  1  walked  to  the  left,  and  sometimes 
to  the  front  of  Devol,  telling  the  enraged  men  to  "keep 
back  :  let  the  Jaw  take  its  coursa"  Scott  and  I  brought  up 
other  comrades  to  the  assistance  of  these  officers,  one  of 
•whom  was  Hi  Minnick. 

It  was  a  fearful  night.  After  this  shooting,  then  it  was 
you  could  have  called  that  crowd  a  "mob" — /'/  Johnson  had 
(if/tiin  /ippcarcfl.  But  I  want  to  say  for  the  truth  of  history, 
the  v.irand  Army,  as  an  organization,  had  no  more  to  do  with 
this  assembling  than  tin  1'opu  ol  I*onu>.  j 

AYhitaker  and  others  who  took  the  obligation  from  .Indi 
ana  were  not  disposed  to  take  from  us  any  prestige.  They 


194      History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

understood  that  we  sought  for  and  organized  this  Order  for 
what  it  was,  and  for  what  we  might  accomplish  with  it. 
There  was  no  effort  at  concealment.  They  knew  that  Ste- 
phenson,  Webber,  and  Mathetr  had  said  to  us,  the  "Hoosiers 
could  put  it  on  its  feet,"  because  we  "had  a  Morton  in  £he 
campaign."  How,  then,  could  it  have  been  otherwise  than 
political  ? 

And  after  two  long,  hot  campaigns,  both  having  popular 
soldiers  for  leaders,  Baker  for  governor  and  Grant  for  Pres 
ident,  and  having  elected  them  and  thus  realizing  the  ad 
vantage  of  organization  as  a  body  of  soldiers,  it  is  not  oTif- 
ficult  to  understand  the  effect  such  a  change  would  produce, 
as  now  made  in  the  Eitual  and  the  "resolutions."  They  saw 
that  such  innovation  did  not  contemplate  the  continuance 
.of  the  plain,  simple  organization  we  started  with,  and  which 
had  united  the  ''boys"  to  cheer  together  again  for  the  old 
flag.  We  thought  that  was  Eitual  enough.  If  the  Order 
did  not  respond  to  National  Headquarters  just  as  others 
thought  we  should,  it  cannot  be  said  we  did  not  respond  to 
our  duty  in  Indiana,  for  which  we  were  organized.  That 
was  our  paramount  duty. 

If  now,  therefore,  this  aggregation  of  soldiers  was  to  be 
directed  in  another  channel  than  that  which  had  been  "cut" 
in  Indiana,  it  should  have  been  given  the  opportunity  to 
study  the  approaches  to  what  was  suddenly  made  a  transfor 
mation  scene,  from  camp-fire  to  the  more  solemn  observance 
of  forms  and  ceremonies  that  had  no  place  in  the  soldier's 
life. 


Pltstory  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     195 

There*  is  no  question  that  the  Order  by  this  time  had 
taken  on  a  semi-moral-sanctimonious  garb  of  charitable 
righteousness,  and  made  to  appear  other  than  what  its  then 
Constitution  provided  it  was  and  should  be.  This  was  shown 
in  the  discussion  of  the  Declaration  of  Principles  in  the 
Philadelphia  Encampment.  The  fact  is,  we  had  never 
placed  any  tenet  above  political  necessity,  and  many  of  our 
comrades  had  no  other  knowledge  of  the  purpose  of  the 
Order  than  to  maintain  the  results  of  the  war,  through  the 
great  political  party  that  had  stood  for  the  country.  So  that 
when  it  was  sought  to  place  another  interpretation  upon  the 
cardinal  tenets  of  the  Order,  whereby  politics  should  be 
ignored,  in  words  as  well  as  deeds,  many  concluded  the  mis 
sion  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  had  been  accom 
plished,  and  they  were  not  in  a  frame  of  mind  to  accept  any 
formula,  or  subscribe!  to  any  doctrine  or  rule  that  prescribed 
other  methods  for  preserving  the  fellowship  of  army  life 
than  those  formed  in  the  field  and  trench,  in  bivouac  and 
battle.  If  such  ties  of  friendship  could  not  muster  the 
"boys"  at  a  "camp-fire,"  a  ceremony  that  never  entered  into 
any  part  of  the  soldier's  life  could  not  do  so. 

Not  only  in  our  own,  but  this  condition  and  sentiment 
prevailed  in  other  States.  My  correspondence  with  General 
Thomas  L.  Young,  of  Ohio,  Colonel  Fairleigh,  of  Louis 
ville,  Ky.,  General  A.  W.  Dennison,  of  Baltimore,  General 
Webber,  of  Springfield,  111.,  General  J.  B.  McKeen,  of  New 
York,  and  others  indicated  that  they  were  working  along  the 
same  lines,  and  generally  with  the  same  success.  It  was  from 
fear  for  the  campaign  of  18G8  that  led  a  number  of  Depart- 


1<T)      //ixlury  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

ment  ollicers  to  meet  in  that  conference  in  Philadelphia  to 
prevent  ilu1  disaster  of  a  dissolution  of  the  Order  in  Hurl- 
hut's  hands. 

The  Order  was  considered  a  political  necessity,  and, 
knowing  this,  those'  \vho  participated  in  that  conference  op 
posed  any  change  in  the  Declaration  of  Principles.  Thus  iT 
IIIMV  lie  seen  there  was  an  "irrepressible  conflict"  in  th" 
.Order,  one  that  could  not 'possibly,  under  thei  present  con 
dition,  he  assuaged  by  the  introduction  of  degrees,  to  receive 
which  a  member  must  remuster  under  a  new  and  forma! 
application  for  membership.  In  other  words,  there  must 
and  was  ordered  to  lie  an  entire  reorganization.  At  this 
time  the  Order  in  Indiana  was  strong— too  strong  to  be  seri 
ously  affected,  for  it  drew  closer  together  and  worked  more 
effectually  from  strong  centers.  So  long  as  there  was  no 
•peremptory  order  denying  our  right  to  conduct  the  organ 
ization  as  we  had  done,  we  continued  along  the  lines  laid 
down  hv  the  original  Constitution  in  the  broadest  spirit  of 
'fraternity,  exercising  the  spirit  of  unlimited  charity  in  very 

t    *  O  1  •/  ,        «/ 

many  ways  and  promoting  to  an  unexampled  degree  a  spirit 
of  loyalty  for  the  success  of  the  Republican  party.  If,  there 
fore,  what  we  had  done  brought  success  and  prosperity  as 
we  were,  why  change  ? 

It  was  not  until  November  4th,  18(59,  that  National 
Headquarters  promulgated  the  proceedings  of  this  Council. 
'Despite  this  order,  and  the  force  of  the  preceding  orders, 
there  were  a  few  who  desired,  if  possible,  to  meet  all  require 
ments  to  retain  a  membership  in  the  organization,  but  pro 
tested  against  a  reorganization.  Whatever  they  '. did,  this 


Illstwy  of  the   Grand  Army   of   the  Republic.      197 

was  an  inevitable  condition,  and  there  was  not  sufficient  sup 
port  in  many  localities  to  revive  sufficient  interest  to  re 
establish  a  Post.  -The  few  Posts  that  lived  existed  more  in 
form  than  by  practical  effort.  The  great  organization  in 
Indiana  had  about  dissolved.  I  do  not  recall  a  single  prayer 
for  success,  nor  a  single  word  of  reproach.  The.  inevitable 
was  not  denied,  nor  sought  to  be  avoided.  What  existed  was 
by  the  grace  of  a  few  men  who  stood  for  the  principle  that 
required  no  king  for  ruler  nor  Pope  to  bless  the  fellowship 
of  men,  comrades  in  war.  The  few  remaining  Posts  that 
existed  under  these  conditions  sent  their  delegates  to  the  5th 
State  Encampment  where  inv  successor.  Surgeon  Lewis 
Humphreys,  of  South  Bend,  was,  on  January  5th,  1870, 
chosen  Department  Commander.  It  was  with  sorrow,  vet 
with  a  feeling  of  relief  and  the  consciousness  of  dutv  ardu 
ously  and  faithfully  performed  that  1  reliiio;iishe  1  the  com 
mand  of  the  Department,  after  four  vears  of  service  to  build 
up  and  maintain  for  my  comrades  this  great  brotherhoo'd. 
'I  know  Colonel  Humphreys  made  an  effort  to  hold  together 
the  few  remaining  Posts.  What  the  Department  strength 
was,  we  have  no  means  of  knowing,  since  as  mentioned  the. 
records  were  in  his  administration  destroyed  bv  tire. 

Having  been  chosen  at  this;  5th  State  Encampment  a 
delegate  to  tho  National  Encampment  that  convened  at 
AYashington,  May  llth,  1870,  my  last  work  in  the  Order,  as 
heretofore  mentioned,  was  the  effort,  with  other  comrades, 
notably  General  Lucius  Fairchild,  of  Wisconsin  to  elect 
General  Schonck,  of  Ohio,  Commander-in-chief.  Though 
Indiana  was  delinquent  for  reports,  I  was  given  a  place  in 


198     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

this  Encampment.  Here  the  murmurs  against  the  new  Rit- 
ual  and  Regulations  adopted  at  Cincinnati,  May,  1869,  be 
came  so  emphatic  and  pronounced  that  the  dissolution  of  the 
Order  was  predicted,  unless  the  whole  system  was  at  once 
abrogated  and  annulled.  Modifications  were  made  to  such 
an  extent  that  the  mere  concession  thus  far  gained  by  the 
enemies  of  the  grade  system  indicated  that  i'n  another  year 
it  would  be  entirely  abolished.  And  so  it  was,  but  the  seeds 
of  discontent  had  been  sown,  and  the  fruit  was  that  of  the 
Upas  tree.  Posts  hitherto  brilliant  and  strong  went  down, 
until,  under  the  influence  of  General  Order,  No.  1,  May  22d, 
1869,  Circular  No.  1,  June  25th,  1869,  and  General  Order, 
No.  4,  July  21st,  1869,  the  soldiers  of  not  only  Indiana,  but 
other  States  were  driven  out  of  fellowship  with  the  Order. 
After  two  years  of  ineffectual  effort  to  establish  this  ill-fated 
Ritual  it  was  set  aside  in  1871.  But  the  blight  had  fallen 
on  many  who  have  never  re-entered  the  Grand  Army.  Our 
soldiers  had  already  been  notified  they  were  no  longer  con 
sidered  members  of  the  Order.  Instead  of  .following  tilt- 
overthrow  of  this  Ritual  with  an  order  as  generous  as  the 
other  was  harsh  and  rei-establi)shing  the  relation  of  comrades 
Who  had,  without  fault  or  cause  on  their  part,  been  so  ruth 
lessly  set  aside,  and  the  wrong  then  and  there  undone,  and 
these  comrades  not  have  been  required  to  re-muster  as  though 
they  had  never  stood  an  affiliated  member  of  the  Order,  it 
was  permitted  to  .stand,  in  mockery  of  the  noblest  effort 
made  by  man  to  organize  and  cement  a  brotherhood,  that 
never  had  a  parallel  among  a  people,  because  there  is  lut 
one  comradeship,  and  that  is  the  comradeship  of  army  life, 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      199 

and  such  as  that  formed  in  the  Civil  War  finds  no  ties  as 
strong  as  those  that  knit  the  souls  of  men,  on  the  march, 
in  the  bivouac,  or  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Upon  surrendering  my  duties  as  Department  Command 
er,  I  submitted  the  following  report: 

"The  duties  of  Commander  of  this  Department  were 
assumed  by  me  when  there  had  ceased  to  be  manifested  any 
further  interest  in  our  Order,  as  it  was  then  constructed, 
but  there  being  a  hope  that  something  would  be  done  by  the 
National  Encampment  then  soon  to  meet,  by  which  the 
Grand  Army  would  pass  into  a  purer  and  higher  state  of 
organization,  I  accepted  the  trust  and  waited  the  issue. 

"In  due  time,  the  National  Encampment  assembled,  and 
in  its  wisdom  perfected,  as  far  as  possible  from  the  crude 
matter,  a  closer  bond  of  brotherhood  for  the  soldiery  of  the 
Nation,  retaining  the  name  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public,  transforming  the  Order  itself  to  a  higher  grade, 
Introducing  three  degrees  and  making  it  truly  a  fraternal, 
'charitable,  and  loyal  association.  The  entire  change  of  Rit 
ual  and  revision  of  the  Constitution  made  it  difficult  to  many 
comrades  to  realize  that  anything  of  a  superior  character 
could  emanate  from  that  which  was  crude,  incomplete,  and 
unsatisfactory,  and  time  revealed  the  fact  that  what  was 
considered  easy  in  the  beginning  was  difficult  to  overcome 
jn  the  end — namely,  prejudice  against  the  Order  for  capac 
ity  to  do  good. 

"With  this  Order  in  this  Department,  a  complete  cha- 
'otic  state  existed  with  few,  if  any,  to  lend  a  hearty  encour 
agement,  I  endeavored  to  put  the  new  machinery  to  work. 


200     II  \slvnj  of  llic   Grand  Army  of  ike  Republic. 

In  June  List,  by  order  from  National  Headquarters,  the 
Commanders  of  western  Departments  with  their  Assistant 
Adjutants  and  Inspector-Generals,  were  directed  to  meet  the 
'Adjutant-General  at  Chicago  to  receive  full  instructions  in 
the  unwritten  as  well  as  the  written  work.  The  Commander 
and  Adjutant-General  and  Inspector-General  were  there  and 
duly  instructed. 

"By  degrees  Posts  in  the  very  best  localities  in  the  State 
weru  established.  Though  few,  their  character  justifies  the 
assumption  that  the  Order  is  permanently  lodged,  and  will, 
with  proper  encouragement,  continue  to  increase  and  prosper. 
The  restrictions  imposed  upon  the  admission  of  comrades  to 
the  now  work  by  the  National  Encampment,  involving  much 
dissatisfaction  and  an  apparent  lethargy,  a  special  session 
of  the  Xational  Encampment  was  called  to  assemble  in  N"e\v 
York  city  on  the  27th  day  of  October,  18G9.  .  .  . 

"You  have  been  made  acquainted  with  every  step  taken 
in  the  National  Encampment  by  its  orders,  as  well  as  in  this 
Department  by  its  orders,  and!  everything  that  has  trans*- 
pired  since  the  beginning  of  tliei  last  Commandership.  There 
has  been,  indeed,  little  to  do  other  than  keeping  in  clos? 
touch  and  companionship  with  the  Posts,  and  receiving  from 
them  their  reports.  When  our  comrades  can  be  brought  to 
the  proper  appreciation  of  our  Order,  and  a  true  realization 
of  its  character,  they  will  not  wonder  that  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  of  18(!9-7'0  is  so  different  in  its  composition 
and  material  from  what  it  was  in  180fi-fi8,  when  its  door 
stood  wide  open,  bidding  for  all  soldiers  to  enter  therein, 
without  qualification  as  to  character  or  morals — only  com- 


History  of  Ike   (h'an<l  Anni/  of  the  Republic. 


201 


radeship.  Not  so  now.  He  who  would  claim  fellowship 
with  our  Order  of  to-day  must  come  to  it  with  a  full  under 
standing  of  the  responsibility  he  has  assumed,  and  in  the 
faith  of  a  true  soldier  lie  must  stand  true,  and  if  faithful, 
his  reward  will  be  great  and  his  fellowship  beloved.  The 
fraternity  of  our  association  assures  our  comrades  that  they 
are  not  forgotten.  Our  charity  enfolds  the  Christian  vir 
tues,  and  the  better  ways  of  life,  seeking  to  mould  them  into 
one,  pervading  sentiment  and  emotion  alike  for  the  living 
and  the  dead.  Our  loyalty  seals  that  bond  of  unity  to  one 
country  and  one  flag  and  makes  us  a,  brotherhood  unlike  all 
others,  but  with  an  aim  higher  than  all. 

"0.  M.  WILSOX, 

"Commander  Department  Indiana. 
''Indianapolis,  January  oth,  1870." 

1  know  I  was  criticised  for  this  "parting  word,"  but  I 
answered:  "Nowhere  have  1  surrendered  my  principles.  I 
have  asserted  only  what  is  claimed.  Otherwise  1  assert 
what  I  know  to  be  true,  and  characteristic  of  the  soldier.7* 

Lest  there  be  men  to-day  who  may  have  forgotten  the 
underlying  force  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  as 
given  to  and  conducted  in  Indiana  in  1806,  'T>7,  '(58,  Y>9,  let 
me  quote  a  few  sentences  from  the  old  first  Ritual.  The 
comrade  was  asked  upon  initiation  if  he  was  "prepared  to 
take  an  obligation  to  sustain  the  cause  of  your  country  .  .  . 
with  your  arms,  your  voice,  and  your  vote";  then  this  lan 
guage  in  the  obligation  administered  which  embraced  not 
only  every  patriotic  but  every  moral  obligation  and  duty: 
that  he  would  "sustain  for  all  offices  of  trust  and  profit,  other 


202     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

things  being  equal,  at  all  times,  the  citizen  soldier  of  the 
'Republic."  And  this  is  the  charge  by  the  Post  Commander : 
"Instead  of  choosing  for  our  rulers  honest,  upright,  and  capa 
ble  men,  whose  actions  were  guided  by/  the  welfare  of  their 
country,  we  have  too  frequently  honored  those  who'  labored 
for  self-interest,  anc8  had  no  sympathy  for  the  people;  hence 
the  late  terrible  rebellion.  Toi  prevent  like,  recurrence  in 
the  future,  this  army  has  been  enlisted.  .  .  .  Place 
soldiers  and  only  loyal  men  in  office,  and  treason  will  hide 
its  hideous  head.'" 

I  venture  no  truer,  nobler  sentiment  than  contained  in 
tbe  old  Ritual  can  bo  found  in  the  range  of  inspiration  for 
faith  and  deeds.  The  men  who  took  that  obligation  were 
those  who  answered  their  country's  call  to  arms  in  1861 : 
men  who  could  build  bridge's,  drain  swamps,  cut  down  for 
ests,  and  turn  rivers,  as  well  as  march  with  the  weight  of 
accouterments  and  eighty  rounds  of  ammunition ;  men  oT 
the  office,  the  workshop,  and  the  plow ;  men  who  could  mend 
their  own  clothes,  repair  their  own  guns,  and  construct  their 
own  tents;  men  who  became  as  familiar  with  the  sword  and 
bayonet  as  they  were  with  the  axe  and  spade;  men  skillful 
on  horse,  who  did  not  halt  at  a  river,  or  stand  awed  at  a 
mountain;  men  who  fought  as  heroes,  who  had  wives,  chil 
dren,  and  family  altars;  men  who  met  dangers  as  immor 
tals,  and  overcame  them;  men  of  sagacity,  tactful,  impetu 
ous  in  assault,  of  intrepid  courage;  men  who  marched  under 
a  burning  sun,  or  under  the  stars,  indifferent  to  £he  ground 
upon  which  they  would  find  the  enemy  of  their  flag.  Cool 
and  deliberate  in  council;  calm  and  collected  amidst  every 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     203 

danger,  brave  in  battle,  noble,  generous,  active,  and  humane, 
they  were  worthy  of  the  cause,  and  the  cause  was  worthy  of 
them.  Do  such  men  require  the  sentiment  of  a  Eitual  for 
fellowship  ? 

We  were  not  different  from  our  comrades  elsewhere,  but 
our  environment  was  different.  We  met  conditions,  the  neb 
ula;  of  which  was  the  encrusted  treason  in  the  Knights  of 
the  Golden  Circle.  But  we  wanted  no  ceremony  by  which  to 
express  our  loyalty  to  the  flag.  The  comrade  felt  that 
he  stood  the  symbol  in  that  economy  of  force's  from  which  a 
people  had  drawn  their  prosperity  and  greatness.  He,  bet 
ter  than  all  others,  could  teach  the  true  lesson  of  the  war. 
Though  his  flag  and  guidon  had  been  folded  away,  and  the. 
old  musket  and  carbine  and  saber  were  being  run  into  "plow 
shares  and  priming-hooks,"  and  all  that,  was  left  him  was 
the  memory  of  his  comradeship  with  all  its  brilliant  deeds 
and  heroic  sacrifices  of  the  days  of  1861  and  '65,  he  was  not 
willing  to  accept  any  substitution  for  this  fellowship.  He 
!had  proven  that  the  man  who  loves  his  country  with  the  fer 
vor  of  a  patriot  takes  his  chance  to  die  for  it  in  fighting  for 
the  principles  underlying  that  patriotism  that  has  its  strong 
est  revelation  in  actual  wrar.  When  he  went  to  the  front,  he 
took  his  chance's  for  life  in  carrying  out  his  convictions  of 
right  and  duty.  Such  men  are  the  exponents  of  a  faith  that 
leads  up  to  a  higher  type  of  manhood  than  is  generally  found 
in  that  class  who  are  constantly  intruding  themselves  or  their 
•opinions  among  men  as  leaders  of  parties;  a  class  who  more 
often  mistake  the  true  worth)  of  men,  because  measured  by 
their  own  small  souls. 


204     History  of  the   (Jrand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Those  comrade's  of  earnest,  positive  convictions  did  not 
hesitate  to  express  them  in  acts.  It  was  this  kind  of  patri 
otism  that  dissolved  all  differences  of  political  opinions 
among  the  soldiers  of  Indiana,  and  united  them  to  sustain 
the  laws  of  their  country;  that  gave  to  them  in  return  its 
gratitude  and 'bounty.  It  was  this  kind  of  patriotism  thai 
withdrew  from  all  alliances  that  required  a  new  creed  to 
make  comradeship  among  soldiers.  Jt  was  enough  that  this 
comradeship  should  meet  the  conditions  of  good-fellowship 
in  service  and  an  honorable  discharge.  No  tie  could  possibly 
be  stronger.  Xo  ceremony  could  impress  ilie  old  soldier  with 
greater  love  fora  comrade.  Had  these  conditions  been  per 
mitted  to  eixist  as  all  sufficient,  in  their  simple  and  unalTeeted 
form,  the  (Jrand  Army  of  the.  Republic  would  embrace,  in 
membership  a  body  of  men  whose  very  presence  together 
would  be  an  object  lesson,  to  be  carried  in  the  minds  of  gen 
erations  to  come,  a.s  men  knit  together  as  soldiers  of  the 
Civil  War,  not  bv  the  bauble  of  ritualism,  no  part  of  which 
entered  into  their  soldier  life.  Their  membership  with 
Posts  can  give  them  no  special  distinction;  yet  all  the  dis 
tinction  some  have,  or  could  get  as  soldiers,  is  given  them 
by  such  membership — in  being  thus  brought  in  contact  with 
men  who  need  no  such  affiliation  to  make  for  them  the  name 
as  soldier  or  sustain  their  record  as  such. 

Good-fellowship  is  what  the  soldier  first  desired,  and  this 
'could  be  bad  only  by  those  who  had  made  a  record  in  service. 
We  all  know  that  a  soldier  who  has  seen  service  can  prove 
'himself,  and  that  one  who  attempts  to  make  a  record  is 
quickly  detected  as  an  impostor,  provided  tliu  muster-rolls 


J/istory  of  the   Grand  Army   of  t'/iv  Republic.      205 

can  be  had  showing  the  service  of  the  regiment  or  command. 
It  does  not  need,  therefore,  any  organization  to  protect  the 
'soldier  from  an  impostor.  While  an  "honorable  discharge" 
is  a  worthy  badge  of  honor,  it  is  not  every  discharge  that  has 
for  its  support  service  in  the  field.  And  it  is  because  there 
is  a  class  found  in  big!)  places  whose  record  of  service 
does  not  connect  them  with  service  at  the  front,  that  many 
prefer  to  seek  their  companionship  among  Veterans,  whose 
life  with  its  war  infirmities  gives  evidence  of  that  proper 
sympathy  felt  by  every  soldier,  because  lie  knows  what  it  was, 
to  sustain  with  him  the  relation  of  comradeship. 

When,  therefore,  methods  were  sought  to  color  this  life 
•with  pomj)  of  display  and  ceremonious  exactions,  to  enable 
the  soldier  to  sustain  the,  relation  of  fratdrnitv  bv  a  cere 
mony  that  could  not  add  to  the  glnrv  of  his  achievements,  nor 
give  him  a  greater  prestige  than  he  had  deservedlv  won; 
when  it  was  sought  to  enforce:  "charity''  along  other  lines 
than  those  which  every  honorable  instruct  tha.t  could  ennoble 
man,  led  him  naturally  to  observe,  without  reservation  or 
hesitation,  then  it  was  that  he  "halted"  and  asked  whether 
his  loyalty  and  service  now  demanded  of  him  a  creed  that 
was  not  written  for  his  guidance  in  war,  nor  to  sustain  him 
in  fellowship  with  the  only  men  who  arc  entitled  bv  the; 
'kind  of  service  they  rendered  to  the  title  "Comrade." 

Two-thirds  of  the  soldiers  of  tho  Civil  War  now  living 
to-day  are  not  in  alliliation  with  thu  Grand  Armv  of  the  Ee- 
public,  simply  because  the  original  plan  of  the  organization 
Jims  been  changed  from  thei  broad  open  door  of  good -fellow 
ship  to  a  close  and  secret  conclave  that  'brings  no  such  boon 


206     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

to  the  Veteran  as  the  old  camp-fires  of  1866  did,  at  which 
'every  "boy"  who  wore  the  blue  stood,  and  with  as  big  a  heart 
and  soul  as  though  he  were  fed  with  all  the  sentimental 
sanctity  of  ritualistic  observance  and  lodges-room  prayers. 

I  was  always  opposed  to  the  idea  of  building  up  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  with  a  sentiment  born  of  con 
flict.  The  soldier's  life  had  sufficient  interest  without  the 
aid  of  any  artificial  light  to  glorify  it.  The  men  who  first 
handled  this  organization  regarded  certain  tenets  as  the 
physician  did  the  preparation  of  certain  pills — it  was  nec 
essary  to  sugar-coat  them  to  got  them  down.  There  are 
men  living  to-day  who  know  how  vital  it  was  in  1866  and 
,1868  to  sustain  the  party  in  power  that  carried  the  country 
through  the  war;  and  they  know,  too,  that  in  Indiana,  Illi 
nois,  and  some  other  States,  that  conditions  existed  that 
tended  by  ties  of  family,  party  associations  and  otherwise,  to 
influence  the  soldier  and  alienate  them  from  the  faith  that 
governed  them  in  the  service;  and  though  political  affinities 
were  the  chief  aim,  charity  and  fraternity  were  also  made 
cardinal  tenets  that  would  hold  fast  many,  and  thus  also 
preserve  political  supremacy  indirectly  as  an  incident. 

True,  charity  and  fraternity  were  principles,  worthily 
bestowed  and  asserted  in  those  days,  because  the  heart  of 
the  "boy"  was  mellow  then,  and  there  existed  many  cases 
for  the  fulfillment  by  him  of  the  law.  But  such  conditions 
disappeared  as  the  years  passed,  and  to-day  there  is  no  need 
of  organized  "charity"  among  the  veterans.  The  Govern 
ment  has  provided,  most  royally,  homes  for  the  feeble  and 
aged  comrade,  and  he  lives  now  in  the  mellow  years  of  mem- 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     207 

ory,  to  look  back  upon  those  days  when  his  loins  were  strong, 
his  step  firm.,  his  eye  clear,  and  his  strength  sufficient  to 
endure  the  ordeal  of  a  soldier's  life.  Hisi  life  now  is  best 
in  the  fellowship  of  his  comrades,  that  fellowship  only  that 
was  found  at  the  "camp-fires,"  in  the  "bivouac,"  on  the 
"march/'  on  "skirmish  line  and  in  battle."  Whatever  will 
make  peaceful  this  life,  whatever  will  give  zest  to  these 
memories,  he  will  promote  aaj  his  supreme  right  and  privi 
lege  to  enjoy. 

It  is  in  memory  of  those  days,  and  the  association  with 
my  comrades,  in  the  field,  and  peaceful  walks  of  life  after 
the  war,  with  whom  I  helped]  win  for  our  native  State  the 
record  she  made  in  war.  and  in  peace,  that  I  am  led  to  write 
these  pages,  with  the  desire  that  they  be  understood,  and 
"naught  be  set  down  in  malice  against  them,"  because  they 
refused  to  accept  any  other  methods  to  perpetuate  ties  of  fel 
lowship  than  those  of  comradeship,  which  their  Anglo-Saxon 
blood  twisted  in  a  scarlet  line  of  flame  on  many  battle-fields 
of  the  Civil  War. 

OLIVEK  M.  WILSON. 

Kansas  City,   Mo.,  March,   IDOL 


Un  flDemoiiam. 


Since  writing  these  pagos,  the  life  of  Major-General 
Robert  Sand  ford  Foster  has  been  closed — summoned  by  the 
Great  Commander  to  eternity  and  the  companionship  of  the 
celestials.  He  stood  in  life  for  thd  best,  the  truest,  the  high 
est  of  earth's  offerings.  He  walked  among  his  fellows  with 
.in  upright  step,  courteous,  respectful,  honestly  obedient  to 
and  serving  the  noblest  impulses  given  mankind  to  enjoy, 
with  signal  patriotic  ardor  through  the  Civil  War,  and  a 
conscientious  observance  of  the  precepts  of  divine  law,  and 
the  statutes  for  man's  government. 

He.  died  a  good  citizen,  a  soldier,  an  uncrowned  king. 
In  the  fullness  of  time,  of  all  that  ennobles  a  life,  there  i.- 
no  blemish  to  mar,  no  stain  to  tarnish,  no  shadow  to  cloud., 
no  act  to  dishonor  the  chivalry  of  the  knightlv  manhood  of 
"Sandy"  Foster  as  he  entered  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

"Taps'7  here  for  him  were  caught  up  in  the  echoing 
notes  of  the  "reveille'-  there,  and  the  soul  awakened  with 
the  same  kindly  smile  and  friendly  hand  to  say  "Good- 
mornina'." 


THE    INDIANA    STATE  SOLDIERS'  AND  SAILORS' 
MONUMENT  AT  INDIANAPOLIS. 

Height  280  feet;  diameter  base  of  shaft,  25  feet;  diameter  of  pedestal,  54  feet; 
diameter  of  terrace  and  steps,  196  feet,  6  inches.  Cost,  including  elevator,  stair 
way  and  statuary,  $400,000.00. 


APPENDIX  I. 


CONSTITUTION 


OF  THE 


GRAND  ARMY 


OF  THE 


REPUBLIC. 


1866 


14— 


211 


CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

GRAND  AMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC. 


ARTICLE  I. 

DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES. 

SECTION  1.    The  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the  Vol 
unteer  Army   and.* Navy   of  the   United  States,;] 
during  the  rebellion  of  1SG1-5.  actuated  by   the 
impulses  and  convictions  of  patriotism  and  of  etcr-  j 
nal  right,  and  combined  in  the  strong  band  of  fel-  | 
lowshipancl  unity  by  tire  toils,  the  dangers  and  the  j 
victories  of  a  long  and  vigorous!}'  waged  war,  feel . 
themselves  called  upon  to  declare,  in  definite  form  I; 
of  words  and  in  determined  co-operative  action,  ij 
those  principles  and  rules  which  should  guide  thcj 
earnest  patriot,  the  enlightened  freenran  and  thcjj 
Cliristian  citizen  of  the  Republic,  in  his  course  of 
action;  and  to  agree  upon  those  plans  and  huv.sij 
which  should  govern  them  in  a  united  and  system- L 
afcic  working  method;  with  which,  in  some  mea- j 
sure,  shall  be  effected  the  preservation  of  the  grand 
results  of  the  war,  the  fruits  of  their  labor  and  toil, 
so  as  to  benefit  the  deserving  and  worthy. 


213 


214     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


SEC.  2.  The  results  which  are  designed  to  be 
accomplished  by  this  organization  are  as  follows : 

1st.— The  preservation  ol'  those  kind  and  frater 
nal  lee-lings  which  have  bound  together,  with  the 
strong  cords  of  love  and  affection,  the  comrades  in 
arms  of  many  battles,  seiges  and  marches. 

2d. — To  make  these  ties  available  in  works  and 
results  of  kindness,  of  favor  and  material  aid  to 
tho.<?<?  in  need'  of  assistance. 

3d.— -To  make  provision  where  it  is  not  already 
done,  for  the  support,  care  ar.d  education  of  sol 
diers*  orphans,  and  for  the  maintainance  of  the 
widows  of  deceased  soldiers. 

4th— For  the  protection  and  assistance  of  disabled 
soldiers;  whether  disabled  by  wounds,  sickness, 
old  age,  or  misfortune. 

5th.— For  the  establishment  and  defense  of  the 
late  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United  States, 
morally,  socially  and  politically  with  a  view  to 
inculcate  a  proper  appreciation  of  their  services 
to  the  country  and  to  a  recognition  of  such  ser 
vices  and  claims  by  the  American  people. 


ARTICLE  II. 

QUALIFICATION  OF  MEMRER8. 

SECTION  1.  Recruits  presented  for  enlistment  in 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  shall  be  honora 
bly  discharged  soldiers  or  sailors  of  the  United 
States  Volunteer  or  Regular  Army  or  Navy,  and 
shall  exhibit  their  discharges  on  enlistment,  or 
shall  produce  satisfactory  evidence  of  having  been 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     215 


honorably  discharged.  No  soldier  or  sailor,  who 
has  been  convicted  by  court-martial  of  desertion, 
or  any  other  infamous  crime,  shall  be  eligible  to 
membership. 


ARTICLE  III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

SECTION  1.  This  association  shall  be  composed 
of  National,  State,  County  and  Precinct  organiza 
tions,  and  shall  be  called  The  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

The  National  Organization  shall  be  known  as 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  **• 

The  State  Organization  shall  be  known  as  De 
partment  of  ( .)  [Name  of  State.] 

The  County  Organization  shall  be  known  as  Dis 
trict  of  ( ,)  [Name  of  County.] 

The  Precinct  organization  shall  DC  known  as  Post 
No. ,  of  ( )  [Name  of  city,  town,  town 
ship,  ward  or  precinct.] 

SEC.  2. '  The  officers  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  shall  be  one  Commanding  officer,  one 
Adjutant  General,  one  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen 
eral  and  one  Quartermaster  General.  This  body 
shall  be  composed  of  two  delegates  from  each  De 
partment.  Two  alternates  shall,  also,  be  elected 
from  each  department. 

SEC.  3.  The  officers  of  each  Department  shall. be 
one  Department  Commander,  one  Adjutant  General 
one  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  and  one  Quarter 
master  General.  This  body  shall  be  composed  of 


2 IB     TTisfory  of  fJte   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


one  delegate  from  each  District  of  the  Department, 
and  shall  meet  once  a  year  and  may  hare  special 
meetings,  when  ordered  by  the  Department  Com 
mander;  the  Council  of  Administration  concur 
ring 

SEC.  4.  The  officers  of  each  District  shall  be  one 
District  Commander,  one  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen 
eral  and  one  District  Quartermaster.  This  body 
shall  be  composed  of  one  delegate  for  every  ten 
members  of  the  Army  in  the  District,  and  shall 
have  general  supervision  of  the  Posts  and  the  es 
tablishment  of  new  Posts  in  the  District. 

SEC.  5«  The~-offlcers  of  each  Post  shall  be  one 
Post  Commander,  one  Adjntant  and  one  Quarter 
master. 

SEC.  6.  The  duties  of  Commanding  officers  shall 
be  essentially  those  of  a  Presiding  officer,  and  in 
the  absence  of  the  Commanding  officer,  the  mem 
bers  present  in  camp  shall  select  a  member  to  per 
form  his  duties  pro  tempore. 

SEC.  7.  The  duties  of  the  Adjutant  Generals,  their 
Assistants  and  Adjutants  shall  be  essentially  those 
of  a  Secretary. 

SKC.  8  Quartermasters  shall  perform  the  du 
ties  usually  appertaining  to  a  Treasurer  and  shall 
have  general  supervision  of  all  accounts  and  dis 
bursements. 

SEC.  9.  Officers  of  the  Day,  Officers  of  the 
Guard,  Orderlies  and  such  other  officers  as  are 
necessary  for  the  transaction  of  business,  shall  be 
detailed  by  the  commanding  officer. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  Hie  Tic  public.      217 


ARTICLE  IV. 

COUNCIL  OF  ADMINISTRATION. 

SEC.  1.  There  shall  be^annually  elected  by  the 
members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and 
of  each  Department  and  District,  a  committee  of 
five  persons,  who  shall  be  called  the  Council  of 
Administration. 

•SEC.  2.  The  Council  of  Administration  shall 
have  charge  of  the  working  interests  of  the  army  ; 
may  propose  plans;  may  specify  objects  of  cha'r- 
ity ;  may  make  contracts,  subject  to  a  vote  of  the 
camp  with  which  they  are  connected,  and  shall 
approve  of  all  bills  and  accounts  presented  by  the 
Quartermaster,  before  they  are  paid. 


ARTICLE  V. 

DUES   AND   REVENUE. 

SEC.  I.  Each  member  of  the  Army  of  the  Re 
public  shall  pay  not  less  than  OIK-  dollar  on  enlist 
ment  to  the  Quartermaster  ot  the  Post  where  he 
is  enlisted. 

SEC.  '1.  There  shall  be  collected,  by  the  Post 
Quartermaster,  from  each  member,  ttie  sum  of  not 
less  than  rive  cents  per  week. 

SEC.  3  There  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  Quar- 
termastei  General  of  the  Department,  at  the. end 
of  each  month,  twenty-live  per  cent  of  all  receipts 
of  each  post,  from  fees  and  dues.  These  amounts 


218     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


shall  constitute  the  fund  of  the  army,  for  inciden 
tal  expenses,  and  for  carrying  out  the  objects  and 
aims  of  the  army. 

SEC.  4.  Disbursements  of  money  from  the  De 
partment  Treasury,  in  behalf  of  any  of  the  objects 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  shall  be  made 
only  after  a  vote  in  favor  of  such  disbursements, 
from  two-thirds  of  the  District  Encampments. 
Incidental  expenses  and  salaries  shall  be  paid  on 
the  order  of  the  Department  Commander. 

SEC.  5.  In  cases  where  individual  charities  de 
mand,  more  funds  than  are  in  the  treasury  of  a 
Post,  application  may  be  made  to  Department 
Headquarters,  for  assistance. 

SEC.  6.  Army  Headquarters  may  assess  their 
incidental  expenses  on  Department  Headquarters, 
and  District  Encampment  may  assess,  sufficient 
funds  for  its  incidental  expenses  on  the  posts  in 
such  district. 


ARTICLE  VI. 


REPORTS. 

SEC.  1.  A  monthly  report  sliall  be  made  direct 
to  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  Department,  by 
the  Commander  of  each  Post,  attested  by  the  Ad 
jutant,  of  the  number  of  members  at  last  report, 
and  the  number  of  new  members,  and  the  number 
who  have  ceased  to  belong;  together  with  a  state 
ment  on  the  condition  and  working  prospects  of 
the  Post,  and  a  record  of  their  proceedings  for  the 
month. 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.      219 


SEC.  2.  The  Post  Quartermaster  shall  make  his 
monthly  report  direct  to  the  Quartermaster  Gen 
eral  of  the  Department;  transmitting  the  funds 
required  by  section  3,  of  "article  5,  of  this  Consti 
tution. 

SEC.  3.  The  District  Commander  shall  send  to 
fcne  Adjutant  General  of  the  Department,  a  report 
of  each  monthly  meeting  at  District  Headquarters, 
with  the  result  of  their  action. 

SEC.  4.    The  Department  Commander  shall  send  j 
an  annual  report  to  the  Adjutant  General  ot  the  |! 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  all  the  operations!, 
in  his  Department;  combining  the  reports  of  the 
Adjutant  General  and  Quartermaster  General. 


ARTICLE  VII. 

CHARTER. 

SECTION  1.  No  Post  shall  be  recognized  by  any 
of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub 
lic,  unless  regularly  established  by  orders  from 
Department  Headquarters?  mid  chartered  by  the 
Department  Commander  and  Adjutant  General. 

Applications  for  a  charter  must  be  accompanied 
by  the  charter  fee  of  ten  dollars. 


ARTICLE  VIII. 

SECTION  1.    Any  failure  of  any  Post,  or  any 
other  organization  of  this  army,  to  comply  with 


220      TTiatnry  nf  fltr   Grand  Army   of  tlie.   Republic. 


3 

any  of  the  provisions  of  this  Constitution,  shall 
render  it  liable  to  forfeiture  of  its  charter  and 
exclusion  from  the  benefits  and  privileges  of  mem 
bers  of  this  army. 


ARTICLE  IX. 

SECTION  1.  This  Constitution  may  he  nmem1e<l 
at  any  time,  by  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
approved  by  two.-JJiirds  of  the  Department  organ 
izations. 


APPENDIX  II. 


REGULATIONS 


<  >  F   T  n  !•: 


-jf  i|f  fffpHtt 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

DOWNEY  &  BROUSE,  PRINTERS  AND  PUBLISHERS. 

1866. 


REGULATIONS. 

OPENING. 

At  the  hour  fixed  for  assembling,  the  signal — three  taps 
on  the  drum.,  or  other  call,  will  be  given,  and  all  the  officers 
present  for  duty  will  take  their  positions,  as  follows* : 

Post  Commander — At  the  head  of  the  hall. 

Sen.  1  ice  /'.  ('. — At  the  opposite  end. 

Post  Adjutant — Three  paces  to  the  right,  and  one  pace 
in  front  of  the  P.  C. 

Post  Q.  M. — Three  paces  to  the  left,  and  one  pace  in 
front  of  the  P.  C. 

Officer  of  the  Day — One  pace  to  the  right,  and  one  pace 
in  front  of  the  P.  C. 

Officer  of  the  Guard — One  pace  to  the  right,  and  one  pace 
to  the  front  of  the  Sen.  Vice  P.  C.  and  in  charge  of  the  Re 
serve  Post. 

Tlie  Sentinel  at  tlie  Out-post — Will  repair  at  once  to  his 
Post,  and  secure  the  main  entrance. 

The  Sentinel  on  dutu  at  the  Reserve — Will  at  the  same  time 
secure  the  inner  entrance,  and  allow  no  one  to  enter  with 
out  the  countersign,  nor  during  the  opening  exercises. 

The  P.  C.  will  then  command,  Attention!  when  the  roll 
will  be  called  and  each  officer  will  rise  in  his  place,  salute 
and  report. 

The  P.  C.  will  then  address  the  Officer  of  the  Day: 

Who  are  these  here  assembled  ? 
The  Officer  of  the  Day  salutes  and  replies: 
This   is   an   encampment   of   tlie    Grand    Army    of   the 
Republic. 

The  P.  C.  answers  the  salute  and  inquires: 
Are  all  present  duly  enlisted  soldiers  of  the  Grand  Army  ? 
The  Officer  of  the  Day  replies: 
I  will  at  once  make  the  G.  E.  and  report. 
223 


224     History  of  ike  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  Officer  of  the  Day  then  commences  on  the  right, 
makes  the  round  of  the  camp,  receiving  the  pass  from  each 
one  present,  coming  back  on  the  left,  salutes  and  reports: 

I  find  all  present  to  be  nicttiibers  of  the  Grand  Army. 

The  P.  C.  then  commands,  AHcnlioii!  when  all  rise;  then, 
1'nrinlc  I\'<'$t,  and  the  Chaplain  invokes  the  Divine  Benedic 
tion.  All  in  camp,  not  physically  disabled,  will  remain  stand 
ing  until  the  conclusion,  when,  without  orders,  they  will  be 
seated.  • 

The  P.  C.  then  says: 

This  eneampnient  is  now  open  for  the  discharge  of  all 
duties  that  may  conic  properly  he  fore  it. 

Call  for  the  reports  of  permanent  officers,  in  the  follow 
ing  order: 

Poxt  Adjutant — conveying  proceedings  of  the  previous 
meeting. 

I'oxt  Q.  If. — giving  the  receipts  of  the  last  meeting  and 
disbursements  since. 

ConiiiiithrK  of  V.niniiiHttioii — on  the  qualification  of  Re 
cruits. 

Balloting  on  application  of  candidates  reported  duly 
qualified. 

GUAUD  MOUNTING. 
The   P.   C.   will   command: 
Let  tho  Assembly  be  sounded. 
The  officer  of   the   Guard   will   then   command: 

Fall  in,  Guard. 

The  Guard,  previously  detailed,  will  then  fall  into  line. 
The  O.  G.  will  assign  a  competent  soldier  to  each  prominent 
post  the  out-post  Sentinel  and  the  Sentinel  at  the  inner  en 
trance — and  proceed  to  relieve  the  old  guard. 

The  Officer  of  the  Day  will,  at  the  same  time,  pass  out 
beyond  the  reserve  post  and  the  inner  entrance  of  the  camp, 
having  a  general  oversight  of  the  reserve  and  out-posts,  dur 
ing  the  process  of  relieving  guard. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  out-posts,  should  the  Sentinel  be 
found  with  any  prisoners  in  charge,  the  O.  G.  will  demand: 

Why  are  these  men  detained  here? 


History  of  tltu   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     22") 

Sentinel. —  I  found  them  wandering  near  our  lines  witli- 
out  the  proper  pass. 

0.  G.  to  jti'isonei's. — What  was  your  object  in  approach 
ing  our  lines? 

I'rixunn-*. — A  desire  to  enlist  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

O-  d. — Spies  also  seek  to  enter,  that  thev  may  the  better 
betray. 

Prisoners. — "We  be  irue  men  and  no  spies."  We  have 
already  served  in  the  armies  of  the  Republic,  and  have  re 
ceived  an  honorable  discharge. 

(If  they  are  now  in  the  service,  the  languag-j  will  be 
varied  to  correspond  with  the  facts.) 

0.  G. — We  welcome  all  true  soldiers,  and  if,  on  examina 
tion,  we  find  you  qualified  according  to  the  regulations  of 
the  ( i! rand  Army,  we  will  gladly  receive  you  into  our  ranks. 
Do  you  fully  understand  and  heartily  sympathize  with  the 
objects  for  which  the  Grand  Army  has  been  enlisted? 

Prisoners. — We  do. 

0.  G. — Are  you  prepared  to  take  an  obligation  to  sustain 
the  cause  of  your  country  at  all  times — in  camp,  on  the 
battle-field,  or  in  the  more  quiet  walks  of  civil  life — with 
your  arms,  your  voice,  and  your  vote,  against  all  her  ene 
mies,  whether  in  high  or  low  places?  and  are  you  prepared 
to  unite  with  those  who  would  secure  by  all  proper  guaran 
tees  the  cause  for  which  we  risked  our  lives  in  the  field? 

/'riwm'i-x. — We  arc?  thus  prepared. 

O.  G. — Guard,  conduct  these  strangers  to  the  Oilicer  of 
the  Day  for  further  examination. 

The  Guard  then  marches  them  to  the  Officer  of  the  Day, 
who  is  found  near  to  and  in  advance  of  the  Reserve  Post. 
The  Sentinel  at  the  out-post  is  relieved  and  falls  in  with  the 
escort. 

The  O.  G.,  saluting  the  O.  D.,  reports: 


226      History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Sir,  these  men  were  found  by  the  Sentinel  wandering 
near  our  out-po>sts,  and  seeking  admission  to  oar  camp. 
They  claim  to  have  been  true  soldiers  of  the  Union,  and 
desire  to  onlist  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

0.  D. — Do  they  know  what  they  seek? 

0.  G. — I  have  questioned  them,  and  they  profess  some 
knowledge  of  the  purposes  for  which  the  Grand  Army  is 
being  mustered,,  and  avow  a  willingness  to  assume  the  obli 
gations  of  recruits. 

0.  D. — Strangers,  you  have  already  expressed  a  knowl 
edge  of  and  a  willingness  to  take  upon  you  an  obligation  to 
sustain  the  objects  of  this  Grand  Army.  But,  before  permit 
ting  you  to  proceed,  it  is  required  that  you  take  an  obliga 
tion  of  secrecy.  Are  you  now  ready  to  do  so? 

Each  answers. — I  am. 

0.  D, — You  do,  each  of  you,  upon  your  honor  as  a  man 
and  a  soldier,  and  in  the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  your 
former  companions  in  arms,  promise  that  you  will  never 
divulge  to  any  living  being  any  questions  that  may  be  asked 
of  you  while  in  this  camp,  except  to  a  comrade  of  this  Order 
— anything  that  you  may  see  or  hear  while  in  this  carnp,  and 
that  you  will  true  answers  make  to  all  question:?  that  may 
be  asked  of  you. 

Each  replies. — I  do  so  promise. 

The  O.  D.  then  inquires  of  each  his  name,  age,  present 
residence,  occupation,  where  born,  in  what  organization  he 
served,  and  whether  he  has  received  an  honorable  discharge. 
These  answers  being  satisfactory  and  sustained  by  the  rolls, 
the  Officer  of  the  Day  will  say: 

You  will  remain  in  charge  of  the  Guard,  until  1  report 
your  presence  and  wishes  to  the  Commandant  of  this  Post 
and  learn  what  are  his  farther  orders. 

The  O.  D.  then  approaches  the  inner  entrance  and  in 
structs  an  orderly. 


History  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     227 

Report  to  the  Adjutant  that  I  have  in  charge  former  sol 
diers  of  the  Republic,  brave  defenders  of  the  American  Un 
ion,  who  desire  to  enlist  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  Orderly  turns,  salutes  and  reports 'from  the  reserve: 

Sir,  the  0.  D.  is  without  the  camp,  with  former  soldiers 
of  the  Republic,  who  seek  to  be  enlisted  in  the;  Grand  Army. 

The  Post  Adjutant  turns  and  salutes  P.  C.  and  reports: 

Sir,  the  0.  1).  lias  approached,  the  reserve  with  recruits, 
who  desire  to  be  admitted  to  our  camp,  that  they  may  enlist 
under  our  banner.  Is  it  your  pleasure  that  they  now  be 
admitted  ? 

P.  C. — Have  they  been  proposed  and  duly  elected? 

Post  Adjt. — They  have. 

P.  C. — Have  the  requirements  of  your  Department 
been  complied  with? 

Pott  Q.  J/.— They  have. 

P.  C. — You  will  report  to  the  Officer  of  the  Day,  and 
ascertain  if  the  recruits  are  properly  qualified  and  prepared 
for  admission. 

The  P.  Adjt.  goes  out  to  the  O.  D.,  salutes,  and  says: 

Sir.  T  am  directed  by  the  Commander  of  this  Post  to 
inquire  if  you  have  carefully  examined  your  charge? 

0.  D.—l  have. 

P.  A. — Are!  you  satisfied  that  they  have  honorably  and 
faithfully  served  in  the  armies  of  the  Republic,  and  received 
therefrom  an  honorable  discharge? 

0.  D.—l  am. 

P.  A. — You  will  then  prepare  the  recruits  for  tha  cere 
mony  of  enlistment, 

The  O.  D.,  turning  and  saluting  the  Officer  of  the  Guard, 
instructs  him  to  prepare  the  recruits.  This  is  done  by  divest 
ing  them  of  their  coats  and  hoodwinking  them. 

The  P.  A.  returns  to  the  P.  C.,  salutes  and  reports: 

15- 


228     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Sir,  I  have  complied  with  your  instructions,  and  the  Oili- 
ccr  of  the  Day  now  awaits  your  orders. 

P.  0. — Let  the  alarm  be  given,  and  the  camp  prepared 
for  aetion. 

The  drums  now  sound  the  long  roll,  the  Post  Battalion 
is  formed  by  the  Post  Adjutant  into  two  lines,  facing  each 
other.  The  Coffin,  with  Flag,  Bible,  and  Swords,  is  placed 
six  paces  in  front  of  the  P.  C.,  a  guard  fully  accountered  imme 
diately  in  the  rear. 

Everything  being  in  readiness,  the  Post  Adjutant  salut 
ing,  addresses  the  P.  C.: 

Sir,  the  camp  is  prepared. 
The  P.  C.  returns  the  salute,  and  says: 
Direct  the  0.  D.  to  enter  with  his  charge. 
The  P.  A.  goes  to  the  entrance — the  door  is  thrown  open 
— arid  says: 

Sir,  the  Commander  of  this  Post  directs  that  you  imme 
diately  conduct  your  charge  before,  him. 

The  Officer  of  the  Day  then  directs  the  Officer  of  the 
Guard  to  follow  with  the  escort,  guiding  the  recruits;  enters 
the  camp  and  advances  to  the  center  of  the  room,  where  he 
is  halted  by  a  sentinel  on  duty.  Giving  the  countersign,  he 
passes  around  the  room,  and,  arriving  in  front  of  the  P.  C., 
is  halted  by  a  second  sentinel.  The  countersign  being  found 
all  correct,  he  passes  on,  and,  arriving  in  front  of  the  S'en. 
Vice  P.  C.,  is  again  halted  by  that  officer  with: 

Sen.  Vice  P.  C. — Who  comes  there: 

0.  D. — Officer  of  the  Day  with  recruits,  on  our  way  to 
the  quarters  of  the  P.  C. 

Sen.  Vice  P.  C. — Have  these  recruits  been  properly  ex 
amined  and  found  worthy  ? 

1  0.  D. — They  have  been  carefully  examined  and  ques 
tioned,  and  deemed  worthy  of  enlistment. 

Sen.  Vice  P.  C. — Too  much  caution  can  not  be  observed 
in  the  introduction  of  strangers.  The  enemy  are  seeking 
opportunities  to  learn  our  mysteries.  But  the  punishment  of 


History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  ike  Republic.      229 

spies  an(|  traitors  is  swift,  and  their  detection  sure.  What 
evidence  have  you  that  these  men  aro  true  to  our  sacred 
cause  ? 

0.  I). — Their  history  is  written  in  our  archives.,  and 
their  answers,  on  examination,  are  in  accordance  therewith. 
Here  is  thrt  proof  of  their  honorable  service  and  discharge  as 
shown  by  the  rolls. 

Sen.  Vice  P.  ('. —  It  is  sullicient.  You  will  at  once  con 
duct  them  to  the  Commandant  of  the  Post.  But  remember, 
ever,  that  Traitors  SHALL  l>c  punished. 

The  whole  encampment  responds: 

The  Penalty  of  Treason  is  DEATH! 

The  O.  D.  then  commands,  FORWARD,  MARCH;  conducts 
the  recruits  forward  past  the  center  of  the  room,  files  to  the 
right  across  the  room,  near  to  the  coffin,  halts  them,  and 
the  P.  A.  commands: 

Attention,  guard.     Shoulder  arms.     Beady !     Aim ! 

The  O.  D.  commands  quickly: 

Hold!  These  are  loval  soldier^  of  tli<«  Republic,  seeking 
the  quarters  of  the  Commandant  of  the  Post. 

The  P.  C.  then  demands: 

Eecover  arms.     Shoulder  arms.     Order  arms. 

The  P.   A.   then  commands: 

Whom  have  you  here? 

0.  D. — Sir,  I  present  these  men  as  recruits  for  enlist 
ment  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

P.  (-. — Whence  do  they  come? 

>  0.  I). — The}-  were  found  near  our  outer  lines,  inquiring 
the  way  to  our  Camp. 

P.  0. — What  evidence  have  you  that  they  are  what  they 
claim  to  be? 

0.  D. — They  have  taken  the  test,  and  passed  a  satisfac 
tory  examination. 


230     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Sen.  Vice  P.  C. — They  have  presented  a  good  record,  sus 
tained  by  the  evidence  of  the  iclls. 

Post  Surgeon. — They  have  been  carefully  examined,  and 
we  have  pronounced  them  sound  and  fit  for  duty. 

P.  C. — With  all  these  vouchers  in  your  favor,  there  can 
•be  no  hesitation  in  receiving  you  fully  into  the  ranks  of  the 
Grand  Army.  But  before  intrusting  you  with  the  secrets  of 
our  organization,  we  require  of  you,  as  we  have  required  of 
all;  that  you  take  upon  you  the  obligations  by  which  are 
united  in  solemn  covenant  all  members  of  this  great  associa 
tion.  Having  gone  thus  far,  are  you  willing  to  proceed  ? 

Each  Recruit. — I  am. 

They  are  then  instructed  by  the  Guard  to  kneel  in  front 
of  the  coffin — place  the  left  hand  on  the  cross-swords  and 
the  Bible — raise  the  right  hand,  pointing  upward.  The  Post 
Adjutant  will  then  administer  the  following  oath: 

You  do  solemnly  swear,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God, 
and  these  witnesses,  your  former  companions  in  arms — that 
you  will  never,  under  any  pretense,  nor  for  any  purpose  what 
ever,  make  known  the  secrets  of  this  encampment.  That  yon 
will  never  make  known,  or  cause  to  be  made  known,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  any  of  the  pass^- words,  grips,  signs,  or 
any  information  whatsoever,  by  which  any  of  the  hidden  mys 
teries,  work,  or  ritual,  of  this  band  of  comrades  may  be 
known  to  the  uninitiated.  You  do  further  solemnly  swear 
that  you  will  neve1!  wrong  a  soldier  or  his  family,  nor  suffer 
others  to  wrong  them,  if  in  your  power  to  prevent  it;  but 
that  you  will,  on  all  occasions,  when  not  inconsistent  witli 
the  duty  you  owe  to  God,  your  Country,  and  Yourself,  be 
friend  him  and  his  family.  That  you  will,  on  all  occasions, 
prefer  him,  or  assist  him  to  obtain  employment;  that,  if  need 
be,  you  will  extend  the  hand  of  charity,  first  to  him,  as  one 
of  those  by  whose  side  you  have  fought  for  your  country; 
that  you  will  sustain  for  all  offices  of  trust  and  profit — 
other  things  being  equal — at  all  times,  the  Citizen  Soldier 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     231 

of  the  Republic.  You  do  further  swear  that  you  will  be 
governed  by  the  lawful  rules  and  regulations  of  this  En 
campment,  and  yield  implicit  obedience  to  the  Encampment 
of  which  you  may  be  a  member,  and  to  all  the  lawful  rules 
and  orders  of  the  Grand  Encampment,  to  which  this  is  sub 
ordinate;  and  you  further  promise  and  declare,  that  should 
any  books  or  papers,  belonging  to  this  Encampment,  come 
or  be  placed  in  your  hands,  you  will  neither  print  nor  copy, 
nor  permit  to  be  printed  or  copied,  any  part  or  portion 
thereof,  except  by  special  permission  of  the.  Grand  Kiu-.inip- 
ment.  You  do  further  swear  that  you  take  this  obligation 
upon  yourself,  without  any  mental  reservation  or  equivoca 
tion,  under  no  less  a  penalty  than  that  of  being  treated  and 
punished  as  a  Spy  and  Traitor  by  this  Order.  So  help  you 
God,  and  keep  you  steadfast.  Be  firm — be  true. 

Several  voices  now  exclaim: 

Behold  the  proper  reward  of  the  perjured  Traitor! 

And  at  the  same  moment,  the  heads  of  the  recruits  are 
uncovered,  and  they  see  before  them,  as  they  kneel,  the  open 
coffin,  with  spade,  shovel,  and  the  usual  implements  used  in 
Military  executions;  and  the  Guard  drawn  up  in  front,  rep 
resenting  a  firing  party.  The  Recruits  then  rise  and  are  ad 
dressed  by  the  P.  C.: 

COMRADES  : — You  have  now,  of  your  own  free  will  and 
accord,  taken  upon  yourselves  the  most  solemn  and  binding 
OATH  that  it  is  possible  for  man  to  give  or  receive,  and  en 
rolled  yourselves;  in  the  most  powerful  Army  ever  enlisted 
since  the  foundation  of  the  World1;  and  it  now  becomes  me, 
as  the  Commander  of  this  Post,  to  explain  to  you  the  nature 
of  this  organization  and  the  necessities  for  such  an  order. 
I  You  were  blindfolded  for  the  purpose  of  calling  up  viv 
idly  to  your  recollection  the  dark  gloomy  days,  months, 
and  years  of  the  rebellion — the  better  to  enablei  you  to  thank 
God  for  his  kindness  to  us  as  a  people,  in  that,  as  it  were, 
Egyptian  midnight  of  National  darkness.  In  being  caused 
to  march  around  this  Encampment,  blindfolded  as  you  were, 


232     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

it  will,  no  doubt,  forcibly  remind  you  of  many  a  lonely  mid 
night  hour,,  in  which  you  groped  your  way  toward  the  ene 
my's  camp;  or.,  perhaps,  bring  to  your  remembrance  some 
horrid  scene  of  some  well-contested  field  after  the  battle., 
when  you  administered  to  the  wants  of  your  dying  comrades, 
when  the  dark  angel  of  Death  was  hurriedly  closing  the  last 
life  scene  of  many  a  bravo  soldier,  by  whose  side  you  fought 
that  day.  May  God  help  us  to  profit  by  the  solemn  lessons 
of  the  past!  You  will  recall  to  mind  the  fact  that  in  1861, 
soon  after  the  inauguration  of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  the  Chief 
Executive  of  this  Nation,  the  traitors  hand  was  put  forth 
to  ioosen  the  fraternal  tics  of  this  glorious  Tnion;  to  break' 
the  almost  impregnable  breastworks  of  its  defenses,  and  to 
cause  the  dark  waves  of  treason  so  to  swell  and  surge  against 
the  bulwarks  of  our  National  Capital,  as  to  threaten  the  en 
tombing  of  the  Union  beneath  the  stygian  depths.  Then  all 
true  men,  regardless  of  party  antecedents,  werei  aroused,  and 
the  Nation  awoke  from  that  "sweet  dream  of  peace"  and  the 
fancied  security  it  had  enjoyed  during  nearly  a  century. 
Never  did  a  Nation  more  promptly  vindicate  the  chivalry  and 
prowess  of  her  sons  in  arms.  Never,  in  the  annals  of  his 
tory,  was  any  country  so  severely,  so  causelessly  tested.  Our 
fathers  had]  demonstrated  that  man  is  capable  of  self-govern 
ment,  and  that  with  a  free  people,  the  majority  must  rule. 
Our  Constitution  had  secured  to  us  every  blessing  the  human 
heart  has  any  right  to  desire  in  this  world.  Our  Govern 
ment  had  spread  thef  broad  a^gis  of  its  guardianship  over 
every  member  of  its  family,  and  while  it  secured  him  from 
oppression  at  home,  it  threw  the  panoply  of  its  same  protec 
tion  around  him  when  abroad — alike  in  the  Courts  of  Kings 
and  the  hamlets  of  their  subjects. 

But,  my  friends,  let  us  turn  from  the  more  gloomy  past 
to  the  more/ hopeful  and  glorious  future;  and  may  the  sol 
emn  scenes  which  you  have  just  witnessed  teach  you  that 
great  and  important  lesson  of  human  life,  that  nothing  is  left 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     233 

for  us  to  do  hut  our  duty  to  the  living.  And  while  we  cher 
ish  in  fond  remembrance  the  recollection  of  our  martyred 
comrades,  left,  us  pledge  ourselves  anew  to  the  glorious  Union 
Bequeathed  us  by  our  Revolutionary  fathers:  to  the  wives 
and  children  of  those  who  will  return  to  us  no  more  forever; 
and  to  the  living  representatives  of  the  gallant  army  of  the 
Union,  the  saviors  of  the  Country. 

Instead  of  choosing  for  our  rulers,  honest,  upright,  and 
capable  men.  whose  actions  were  guided  by  the  welfare  of 
their  Country,  we  have  too  frequently  honored  those  who 
labored  for  self  interest,  and  had  no  sympathy  with  the  poo- 
pie;  hence  the  late  terrible  rebellion.  To  prevent  a  like  re 
currence  in  the  future,  this  army  has  been  enlisted.  The 
ground  we  stand  upon  towers  transeendentally  above  all  party 
considerations.  Place  soldiers  and  only  loyal  men  in  oil'ice, 
and  treason  will  hide  its  hideous  head,  no  more  to  lie  seen 
and  felt  in  this  land. 

How  many  poor  maimed  soldiers  do  you  see  without  em 
ployment,  trving  to  get  a  position  where  they  may  bo  able 
to  earn  their  bread  without  being  compelled  to  perform  hard 
manual  labor,  whilst  other  able-bodied  men,  who  never  heard 
a  gun  fire,  are  occupying  most  of  the  oflices  of  profit.  A 
soldier  can  scarcely  get  employment — there  seems  to  be  a 
conspiracy  against  him.  To  remedy  this  evil  is  a  part  of  the 
business  of  this  Order,  but  not  its  entire  mission. 

I  will  now  call  your  attention  to  the  great  and  main  ob 
ject  of  this  Order:  The  protection  and  education  of  families 
of  deceased  soldiers.  Of  the  many  hundreds  of  thousands 
who  went  to  the  field,  thousands  never  returned,  but  belong- 
to  that  mighty  army  of  martyred  patriots,  who  paid  thei  for 
feit  of  their  heart's  blood  on  the  field  of  battle,  or  lie  buried 
'in  the  vicinity  of  some  General  Hospital.  The  majority  of 
these  departed  patriots  haves  families  at  home  who  depended 
entirely  on  their  earnings  for  support.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
people  to  feed,  clothe  and  educate  them.  Tho  farmer,  me- 


234     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

chanic,  or  day  laborer,,  as  the  case  may  be,  is  induced  by  his 
'devotion  to  his  country  to  leave  his  wife  and  children,  and 
inspired  by  patriotism,  he  trusts  mother,  wife,  sister  and 
children  to  the  care  of  friends,  to  meet  the  enemy  on  the 
open  field.  They  read  of  the  terrible  slaughter  and  loam 
that  he  is  among  the  peaceful  I)I-:AD!  Their  only  prop  takun 
from  them.  This  is  but  a  parallel  case  to  those  you  can  find 
in  any  city  or  village.  Our  organization  takes  the  little  ones 
and  gives  them  a  home  alike  comfortable1  and  respectable, 
and  compels  society,  not  only  to  do  them  justice,  but  to  honor 
and  respect  them,  as  children  of  departed  p.itriots,  who  fell 
in  defence  of  our  free  institutions. 

This,  my  friends,  is  the  principle  of  the  organization  to 
which  you  have  attached  yourselves,  and  may  Uod,  the  great 
Commander  of  all,  guard  and  protect  this  Order  and  all  its 
members,  and  aid  us  in  his  infinite  wisdom;  mav  he  ev°r 
assist  the  Commander  of  this  Post,  to  so  command  as  will 
be  to  the  interest  of  this  Nation,  which  has  nursed  and  pro- 
'tected  us  with  the  care  and  fondness  of  the  mother  for  her 
child.  May  he  guide  and  direct  the  Commanders  of  the  dif 
ferent  Districts  and  Departments  of  the  United  States,  so 
that  they  will  ever  have  an  eye  single  to  the  good  of  man 
kind,  an'd  for  the  everlasting  preservation  of  our  noble 
institutions. 

The  P.  C.  will  then  proceed,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
Adjutant,  to  ijistruct  the  Recruits  in  the  signs  and  grips — 
after  which  the  P.  C.  will  say: 

Comrades,  you  have  passed  through  the  ceremony  of  En 
listment  and  Muster,  and  now,  with  pleasure  I  greet  you  as 
(Members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  trust  you 
Will  continue  worthy  and  honored  members.  You  will  now 
'take  your  seats  as  members  of  this  Encampment, 


OLOSTXU  CEEEMOISriES. 


/'.  C.— Attention,  Post! 

Comrades  will   come   to   the   position   of  "Attention"    and 
salute. 

./'.  C. — Comrades,  our  labor  for  this  night  is  done.     We 
part — but  only,  God  willing,  to  meet  again. 

Comrades. — Amen . 

P.    C. — I   now   declare   this   Encampment   closed   until 

-  o'clock.,  next  -          -  evening,  when  we  will  again 

assemble  here.    Eight  and  Left  face.    Break  Ranks.    March! 

At  the  command  March,  comrades  will  clap  their  hands. 


APPENDIX  TIL 

A  committee  consisting  of  Past  Department  Command 
ers  General  R.  S.  Foster  and  James  R.  'Carnahan  and  Com 
rade  William  H.  Armstrong  was  authorized  by  their  Depart 
ment  in  1900  to  prepare  a  sketch  of  the  birth  and  early  his 
tory  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  Indiana.  This 
committee  made  its  report  to  the  State  Encampment  held 
at  Logansport,  May,  11)01.  Those,  comrades  participated  in 
the  first  organization  in  lcS(>(>,  and  were  familiar  with  every 
act  and  event  of  that  time. 

From  this  report  I  take  the  following  extracts: 
'''As  a  historical  fact,  to  the  Union  soldiers  of  Indiana 
is  due  the  credit  of  breathing  the  first  breath  of  life  into  the 
great  soldier  organization  that  was  in  l<S(>f)  christened  'The 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,'  and  the  a.ctual  birth-place  of 
the  infant  society  was  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis.  Four 
men,  two  of  them  yet  living,  are  responsible  for  the1  birth 
of  this  body  of  associated  and  affiliated  Union  veterans  of 
the  Civil  War,  Dr.  B.  F.  Stcphenson,  late  a  major,  and  sur 
geon  of  Volunteers  of  Illinois,  Governor  Oliver  P.  Morton, 
General  R.  S.  Foster,  and  Major  Oliver  M.  Wilson,  of  Indi 
ana.  The  author  of  the  first  Ritual  and  Regulations  was 
Surgeon  B.  F.  Stephenson,  and,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
facts  herein  set  forth,  with  the  writing  of  these  two  doc 
uments  his  work  in .  the  original  organization  practically 
ceased. 

237 


238     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

"The  intention  of  Dr.  Stephenson  was  to  bring  about  an 
organization  of  the  Union  veterans,  but  thei  special  object  or 
purpose  to  be  attained  thereby  does  not  seem  to  have  been 
very  clearly  defined  in  his  mind.  The  material  furnished  by 
his  Ritual  and  Constitution  was  magnificent,,  but  with  this 
material  he  was  unable  either  to  plan  and  lay  the  founda 
tion,  or  rear  the  superstructure;  it  was  a  quarry  of  splen 
did  but  undeveloped  stone,  for  which  lie  needed  the  master 
workmen  and  skillful  builders  to  take  it  from  the  mine  and 
work  out  the  plans  and  adapt  them  to  great  and  good  uses. 
He  found  the  master  mind  in  Oliver  P.  Morton,  the  builder 
in  General  II.  S.  Foster,  and  his  no  loss  efficient  assistant, 
Major  Oliver  M.  Wilson. 

"How  was  this  great  structure  builded,  wherein  was 
found  the  incentive?  Two  purposes  brought  about  the  en 
thusiasm,  and  the  determination  in  the  mind  of  Morton  to 
put  the  work  of  SttJphenson  into  actual  living  form  and 
shape.  One  motive  was  political,,  and  the  other  was  to  unite 
the  energies  and  work  of  the  Union  veterans  in  a  channel 
that  would  conduce  to  their  ultimate  welfare  personally. 
It  was  to  l)e  a  union  of  interests  politically  and  for  their 
benefit  in  future  legislation.  The  year  of  1866  began  with 
a  great  political  contest,  to  be  waged  by  the  men  who  had 
opposed  the  Union  cause  on  one  side,  and  on  the  other  the 
men  who,  like  Morton,  though  not  himself  an  actual  sol 
dier,  had  been  a  strong  tower  of  strength  to  Abraham  Lin 
coln  and  the  national  arms,  and  the  steadfast  and  devoted 
friend  of  the  soldier  'in  blue'  from  18(51  to  1865.  Morton 
had  by  some  melans  learned  of  Dr.  Stephenson  and  of  his 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,.     2.39 

desire  to  bring  a<bout  a  soldier  organization,  and  of  his  fail 
ure  to  attain  his  desires.  It  was  at  first  thought  that  this 
proposed  organization  could  not  be  made  effective  in  Indi 
ana.  At  the  request  of  Governor  Morton,  General  Foster 
went  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  see  and  consult  with  Dr. 
Stephenson.  This  was  in  the  month  of  July,  1806.  Gen 
eral  Foster's  account  of  his  interview  with  Dr.  Stephenson 
is  as  follows : 

"  'I  called  upon  Major  Stephenson  in  Springfield,  and 
he  took  me  to  his  office;  he  there  told  me  of  a  Ritual  he 
had  written  for  an  ex-Union  soldiers'  organization,  and 
read  portions  of  it  to  me  from  manuscript,  explaining  the 
object  and  plan  of  the  Order. 

" 'I  thought  it  was  just  what  we  wanted  in  Indiana,  and 
•so  told  him.  He  said  he  had  trouble  in  getting  the  "boys" 
there  to  take  hold  of  it;  that  it  was  a  good  thing;  that  he 
would  be  glad  to  have  me  bring  it  to  Indiana  and  organ 
ize  it  in  our  State.  He  manifested  great  anxiety  and  zeal 
in  getting  it  introduced,  and  expressed  himself  as  very 
anxious  that  we  should  introduce  it  in  Indiana.  He  ad 
ministered  to  me  the  obligation  of  the  Ritual  for  this  pur 
pose,  and  gave  me  the  Constitution  and  Ritual.  Hei  gave 
me  the  manuscript  of  both  the  Ritual  and  the  Constitution. 
I  brought  them  to  Indiana,  and  at  once  communicated 
with  Major  Wilson,  and  fixed  a  time  and  place  to  meet  a 
few  chosen  comrades  to  whom  I  administered  the  same 
obligation  that  I  had  taken  from  Major  Stephenson  from 
a  strip  of  paper.  These  comrades  became  the  nucleus  for 
a  Department  organization — my  first  charter  members.  No 


240     History  of  the   Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

commission  or  warrant  was  givon  to  me  by  anyone  claim 
ing  to  be  authority  in  the  Order;  such  an  assumption  to 
commission  me  was  never  claimed  or  exercised  by  Stephen- 
son;  I  was  left  to  do  as  I  thought  best;  but  after  consult 
ing  with  my  comrades — upon  giving  them  the  obligation — 
I  wras  made.,  by  their  unanimous  vote,  Department  Com 
mander  under  the  form  of  tho  Constitution  I  had  brought 
from  Major  Stephenson,  and  at  once  commenced  the  organ 
ization  of  the  State.  The  comrades  chosen  by  me  to  receive 
the  first  muster  in  the  Order. in  Indiana  were  Major  Oliver 
M.  Wilson,  General  Dan  Macauley,  Colonel  William  II. 
Schlater,  Colonel  Cyrus  J.  Dobbs,  Major  J.  N".  Scott,  Cap 
tain  Eli  Bitter,  and  two  or  three  others  whose  names  are 
now  forgotten.  Our  names  were  enrolled  upon  our  Char 
ter,  and  this  was  displayed  at  our  headquarters  as  our 
authority  to  organize  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Kepublic.'* 


"When  it  was  found  that  the  soldiers  in  Indiana  were 
enthusiastic  over  the  organization,  and  after  a  good  many 
thousands  had  been  enrolled  in  Posts,  and  after  a  vast 
amount  of  printing  had  been  done.  General  Foster  sent 
Major  Wilson  to  Springfield  to  consult  with  Major  Stephen- 
son,  as  to  what  then  was  and  would  be  expected  of  us  in 
pushing  the  Order  to  such  strength,  and  beyond  the  limits 
of  Indiana,  for  one  of  General  Foster's  aides  had  stepped 
over  into  Michigan  and  organized  one  or  more  Posts  in  that 
State.  'Tell  him/  said  Foster,  Ve  7ve  drawn  an  elephant/  '•' 


History  of  the   Grand  Army'  of  the  Republic.     241 

"At  no  time  from  the  time  that  the  first  little  band  of 
comrades  received  and  took  upon  themselves  the  obligation 
of  the  Grand  Army,  read  from  the  original  manuscript 
which  General  Foster  bald  received  from  Dr.  Stephenson— 
this  in  July,  18(i<] — until  the  first  formation  of  the  Na 
tional  Encampment  in  Indianapolis,  November  21.  18G(>, 
did  General  Foster,  or  any  Post,  or  the  Indiana  Depart 
ment  report  t«  Dr.  Stephenson  or  any  other  person  or  per 
sons  outside  of  the  Department  of  the  Indiana  Department 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Kepnblic.  .  .  .  There  was  no 
badge  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  devised,  or  made 
to  designate  the  memlx^rship  until  it  was  devised  bv  Major 
Oliver  M.  Wilson  and  Captain  A.  ().  Behm,  of  Indiana, 
and  adopted  by  the/  Department  of  Indiana,  and  then  was 
manufactured  in  Lafayette,  Indiana." 


APPENDIX  IV. 

ADDRESS  OF  GOVERNOR  CONRAD  BAKER,  UPON 
LAYlXli  THE  CORNER-STONE  OF  THE  SOL 
DI  KHS'   HOME,  JULY  4th,   ISO?. 

ftFellow~CitizGnSj  Ladies  ami  Gentlemen: 

"To  tin1  joint  action  of  the.  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub 
lic  and  the  Trustees  of  thi1  Soldiers'  Home  are  we  indebted 
Tor  the  happy*  blending  Of  the  two  patriotic  objects  which 
have  assembled  us  here  to-day. 

"'It  is  meet  and  proper  that  the  commemoration  of  the 
'laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  grandest  political  struct 
ure  that  man  ever  reared  or  Providence  ever  blessed  should 
on  this  day  be  associated  with  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  a  Home  for  those  who  have  been  disabled  in  battling  to 
preserve  this  grand  political  structure  from  destruction. 

It  is  also  fit  and  proper  that  these  twin  offerings,  both 
sacred  to  patriotism,  should  be  made  under  the  auspices  of 
an  association  of  citizen-soldiers  lately  composing  a  part 
and  still  bearing  the  name  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

"But  while  it  is  true,  as  already  intimated,  that  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  and  is  the  corner-stone 
of  our  national  existence,  it  ought  not  to  ,'be  forgotten  that 
this  stone  was  and  is  built  upon  and  supported  by  broad 
and  deep  pre-existing  foundations. 
16-  243 


244     Jlifdorij  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlic  Republic. 

"These  foundations,  to  which  I  now  invite  your  indul 
gent  attention,  consist : 

"First — Of  that  Union  which  constitutes  us  one  people, 
and  without  which  independence  and  national  existence 
never  could  have  become  realities;  and, 

"Secondly — Of  those  immutable  (principles  of  truth  and 
justice,  for  the  support  of  which  the  fathers  pledged  their 
lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor. 

"The  first  proposition,  then,  to  which  1  propose  to 
speak  is,  that  tho  Union  was  and  is  one  of  the  grand  foun 
dations  upon  which  our  independence  and  nationality  are 
based. 

"What,  then,  is  .the  nature  of  the  Union  ?  what  its  ori 
gin,  and  what  the  causes  which  brought  it  into  being?  Is 
it  a  league  between  sovereign  States,  independent  not  only 
of  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  but  independent  of  each 
other,  or  is  it  a  Union  of  the  entire  people  of  one  vast  coun 
try  as  ond  undivided  nation,  all  owing  allegiance  to  the 
same  Government,  of  which  they  themselves  are  the  archi 
tects  and  builders? 

"As  a  starting  point  in  the  consideration  of  these  ques 
tions,  we  have  thirteen  distinct  and  separate  British  Col 
onies,  all  founded  on  charters,  proprietary  grants  or  royal 
governmental  commissions,  emanating  from  the  British 
crown  and  defining  the  boundaries  of  these  colonies,  re 
spectively. 

"The  colonies,  although  existing  separately  under  these 
charters,  grants,  and  commissions,  occupied  contiguous  ter 
ritory,  had  a  common  origin  and  for  the  most  part  the 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     245 

colonists  spoke  the  same  language.  Their  situation  was 
such  that  their  welfare,  if  not  their  very  existence,  required 
that  there  should  be  some  common  government  for  the  reg 
ulation  of  their  external  affairs  with  the  rest  of  the  world, 
to  which  all  should  be  alike  subject.  For  many  years  after 
'the  planting  of  theso  colonies,  they  all  had  this  necessary 
common  government  for  the  regulation  of  their  external 
concerns,  under  and  as  a  part  of  the  British  Kingdom,  to 
whose  crown  they  in  the  fullest  manner  acknowledged  'their 
allegiance. 

"But  whilst  these  colonies  all  owed  and  acknowledged 
their  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown,  each  of  them  had, 
for  a  long  time,  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  local  self-govern 
ment  in  relation  to  their  domestic  affairs  and  internal  reg 
ulations.  They  acknowledged  themselves  as  part  of  the 
British  Empire,  to  be  bound  by  all  treaty  stipulations  made 
by  it  with  other  nations,  and  also  that  they  were  subject  to 
the  legislation  of  the  British  Parliament,  so  far  as  related 
to  their  commercial  intercourse  with  the  world,  and  all 
other  subjects  on  which  a  uniformity  of  legislation  was  nec 
essary  or  desirable  for  all  portions  of  that  Empire.  They 
claimed,  however,  that  being  British  subjects,  they  were 
entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  Englishmen,  prominent  among 
which  was  the  right  of  trial  by  jury,  and  the  right  to  be 
exempt  from  being  taxed  save  with  the  consent  of  their 
immediate  representatives.  They  submitted  for  many  years 
to  the  most  unjust  restrictions  upon  their  trade  and  com 
mercial  intercourse  as  between  themselves  as  well  as  be 
tween  them  and  the  outside  world,  without  questioning  the 


246     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

power  of  Parliament  to  impose  these  restrictions.  When, 
however,  Parliament  went  one  step  farther  and  attempted 
to  levy  internal  taxes  in  the  shape  of  stamp  duties,  etmbrac- 
'ing  within  their  scope  nearly  all  the  daily  transactions  of 
life,  they  remonstrated  and  boldly  denied  the  power  of  Par 
liament  to  impose  such  burddns.  The  controversy,  which 
this  attempt  on  the  pa.rt  of  Parliament  to  tax  the  Colonies 
without  their  consent,  gave  rise  to  the  Continental  Congress 
of  1705,  which  may  be  regarded  as  the  germ  of  the  Amer 
ican  Union. 

"Although  each  colony  had  a  local  Legislature,  they  were 
separate  and  distinct  political  communities,  and  had,  by 
'their  organic  structure,  no  power  to  unite  for  any  purpose 
Avithout  the  consent  of  the  British  Government,  and  as  a 
consequence  a  union  of  the  people  of  the  colonies  for  the  pur 
pose  of  resisting  the  aggressions  of  the  parent  Government 
was  one  step  towards  revolution. 

"The  colonial  Legislative  Assemblies  consisted  of  three 
separate  and  distinct  branches,  the  concurrence  of  all  of 
which  was  necessary  in  the  passage  of  laws.  These  branches 
consisted,  first,  of  a  Governor  chosen  directly  or  indirectly  by 
the  dependent  upon  the  Crown.  Second,  a  representative 
assembly  chosen  by  the  people;  and  third,  a  Council  or  Upper 
House  selected  by  the  representatives  of  the  people  with  the 
concurrence  or  subject  to  the  negative  of  the  royal  Governor. 
•For  many  years  the  Colonial  Legislatures  had  exercised  the 
exclusive  and  unquestioned  right  of  levying  all  the  internal 
taxes  which  were  imposed  upon  the  colonists,  and  of  grant 
ing  or  refusing  such  supplies  to  the  King  as  to  the  Legis- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     247 

lature  might  seem  proper.  With  perhaps  a  single  exception, 
no  reasonable  complaint  could  be  made  against  any  of  the 
colonies  of  a  want  of  liberality  in  responding  to  the  King's 
requisitions  for  supplies.  The  colonists  insisted  that,  being 
British  subjects,  they  were  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  Brit 
ish  citizenship,  and  that  as  resident  citizens  of  England  could 
not  be  taxed  except  with  the  consent  of  their  representatives 
'in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  as  it  was  impracticable  that 
tbe  colonies  should  be  represented  in  Parliament,  it  followed 
that  the  people  of  the  colonies  could  only  be  taxed  with  the 
consent  of  their  representatives  in  the  Colonial  Legislative 
Assemblies.  Parliament,  on  the  other  hand,  claimed  the 
unlimited  power  of  legislating  for  the  colonies  in  all  cases 
whatsoever. 

"Here,  then,  was  an  issue  between  the  people  of  the  col 
onies  on  thoi  one  hand,  and  the  Parliament  on  the  other, 
which  could  only  lie  settled  by  the  yielding  of  one  party  to 
the  claims  of  the  other,  or  by  the  stern  arbitrament  of  the 
sword. 

"The  history  of  the  times,  and  the  faeis  set  forth  in  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  show  how  reluctant  the  Fathers 
were  to  resort  to  extreme  measures  for  redress  of  grievances. 
They  say  in  that  instrument  that  at  every  stage  of  the  oppres 
sions  of  which  they  complained  they  had  petitioned  for  re 
dress  in  the  most  humble  manner,  but  that  their  petitions 
had  been  answered  by  repeated  injury. 

"How  calm,  considerate  and  dignified  was  the  conduct 
of  the  men  of  the  Revolution  when  compared  with  the  pro 
ceedings  of  those  who  recently  rebelled  against  the  author 
ity  of  a  government  in  which  they  were  not  only  fully  rep- 


248     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

resented,  but  over  which  they  exercised  an  undue  control. 
In  the  one  case  evetry  peaceable  measure  was  exhausted  for 
the  redress  of  real  grievances,  and  resistance  was  only  sanc 
tioned  as  a  last  resort.  In  the  other,  without  any  real  cause 
of  complaint,  war  was  invoked  as  a  remedy  against  appre 
hended  evils.  Looking  at  these  two  examples  of  resistance 
to  constituted  authority  in  the  light  of  their  respective  re 
sults,  who  can  doubt  that  God  is  just,  or  that  He  governs 
in  the  affairs  of  men  ? 

"The  stamp  act  received  the  royal  assent  on  the  22d  day 
of  March,  1765,  and  thereby  the  power  of  Parliament  to 
tax  the  colonies  in  the  absence  of  representation  was  at 
tempted  to  be.  exercised  to  the  fullest  extent  and  in  the  most 
oppressive  manner. 

"On  the  6th  day  of  June,  of  the  same  year,  in  the  House 
<bf  Representatives  of  Massachusetts,  James  Otis,  of  Boston, 
advised  cthe  calling  of  an  American  Congress,  which  should 
come  together  without  asking  the  consent  of  the  King,  and 
should  consist  of  committees  from  each  of  the  thirteen 
colonies,  to  be  appointed  respectively  by  the  delegates  of 
the  people  without  regard  to  the  other  branches  of  tlie 
legislature.' 

"The  suggestion  was  adopted.  Otis  and  two  other  mem 
bers  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  were 
appointed  delegates  to  the  proposed  Congress,  and  letters 
were  sent  to  every  legislative  assembly  on  the  Continent, 
'proposing  that  committees  of  the  several  assemblies  should 
meet  at  New  York  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  following 
'October,  to  consult  together  and  consider  of  a  united  repre 
sentation  to  implore  relief/ 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic.     249 

"In  pursuance  of  similar  action  on  the  part  of  other  col 
onies,  the  first  Continental  Congress  met  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  on  the  7th  day  of  October,  17G5.  It  consisted  of  del 
egates  from  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  South  Carolina,  Delaware,  New 
Jersey  and  New  York.  New  Hampshire,  although  unrep 
resented  by  delegates,  had  pledged  her  people  in  advance  to 
abide  by  the  result,  and  Georgia  evinced  her  interest  in  the 
anatter  by  sending  a  messenger  a  thousand  miles  by  land  to 
obtain  a  copy  of  the  proceedings. 

"Virginia  and  North  Carolina  were  not  in  any  way  rep 
resented  in  this  first  Anwk-an  Congress,  although  they 
were  both  in  full  sympathy  with  the  people  of  the  other 
colonies. 

"As  bearing  on  the  formation  and  nature  of  the  Amer 
ican  Union,  it  is  interesting  and  important  to  note  the  man 
ner  in  which  this  first  Congress  was  constituted.  Did  it  rep 
resent  the  local  colonial  governments  of  the  respective  col 
onies,  or  did  it  represent  the  people?  To  answer  this  ques 
tion,  it  is  only  necessary  to  state  the  manner  in  which  the 
delegates  were  appointed.  In  Massachusetts,  Ehode  Island, 
Connecticut,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  South  Carolina, 
the  governor  and  Council,  both  constituent  parts  of  the  leg 
islative  power,  were  entirely  ignored,  and  the  appointments 
were  made  by  the  House  of  Representatives. 

"In  Delaware  and  New  Jersey  the  popular  branch  of 
the  Legislature  did  not  even  act  in  its  organized  capacity, 
but  the  delegates  from  those  colonies  were  named  by  letters 
of  appointment,  signed  by  the  individual  meanbers  of  the 
Houses  of  Representatives  of  these  colonies  respectively; 


250     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

and  in  New  York  the  Legislative  Committee  of  CoTrespond- 
ence,  appointed  by  the  popular  branch  of  the  Legislature  of 
that  colony,  constituted  its  delegates  to  the  Congress. 

"Here,  then,  we  see  that  in  the  first  Continental  Con 
gress  the  delegates  did  not  represent  the  local  governments 
of  their  respective  colonies,  but  that  they  did  represent  the 
people  of  the  colonies  from  which  they  were  sent,  That 
they  were  appointed  not  by  the  local  governments,  but  by  the 
popular  branches  of  the  Colonial  Assemblies.,  as  the  imme 
diate  and  most  convenient  organs  of  the  popular  will. 
i  "The  Congress  thus  assembled  entered  immediately  on 
the  consideration  of  the  grounds  on  which  they  would  base 
their  efforts  to  vindicate  American  liberty  and  American 
rights.  Whether  they  should  build  on  tha  rights  secured  by 
their  respective  charters  or  on  natural  justice  became  the 
question.  Some  were  for  reiving  on  their  charters  and 
pleading  the  rights  thus  secured,  but  Christopher  Gadsden, 
of  South  Carolina,  saw  that  this  was  basing  American  lib 
erty  on  too  narrow  a  foundation  and  would  result  in  divis 
ion  and  destruction.,  as  their  charters  diffetred  and  some  of 
the  colonies  had  no  charters  from  the  Crown  at  all. 

"  'We  should  stand/  said  this  sturdy  patriot,  'upon  the 
broad,  common  ground  of  those  natural  rights  that  we  all 
feel  and  know  as  men,  and  as  the  descendants  of  English 
men — I  wish  the  charters  may  not  ensnare  us  at  last  by 
drawing  different  colonies  to  act  differently  in  this  great 
cause.  Whenever  this  is  the  case,  all  will  be  over  with  the 
whole.  There  should  bo  no  New  England  man,  no  New 
Yorker  on  the  continent,  but  all  of  us  Americans/ 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     251 

"  'These  views/  said  Bancroft,,  ''prevailed,  and  in  the  pro 
ceedings  of  the  Congress  the  argument  for  American  liberty 
from  royal  grants  \vas  avoided.  This  is  the  first  great  step 
towards  independence.  Dummer  has  pleaded  for  colony 
charters;  Livingston,  Gadsdefn,  and  the  Congress  of  1765 
provided  for  American  self-existence  and  Union  by  claim 
ing  rights  that  preceded  charters,  and  would  survive  their 
ruin/ 

"It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  question  between  char 
tered  rights  and  natural  justice  has  repeated  itself  in  our 
subsequent  history.  Those  in  after  years  who  have  been 
the  peculiar  advocates  of  State  sovereignty  are  the  legitimate 
descendants  of  the  men  who,  in  our  controversy  with  Great 
Britain,  were  willing  to  base  American  liberty  on  no  firmer 
foundation  than  the  words  of  a  King  contained  in  a  royal 
charter,  a  royal  proprietory  grant,  or  a  royal  governor's  com 
mission  ;  while  those:  who  have  manfully  insisted  on  the  par 
amount  sovereignty  of  the  entire  American  people,  have 
with  Gadsden  and  the  Continental  Congress  of  1765  always 
maintained  that  human  rights  are  older  and  more  sacred 
than  mere  chartered  rights,  and  that  charters  and  constitu 
tions  are  only  valuable  as  they  tend  to  secure  natural  rights 
and  promote  human  happiness. 

"The  Stamp  Act,  the  passage  of  which  gave  birth  to  the 
Congress  of  1765,  having  been  repealed  in  1766,  that  Con 
gress  never  re-assembled  and  had  no  successor  until  1774. 
In  the  meantime  the  controversy  went  on  between  the  Brit 
ish  government  and  the  colonies,  as  to  the  powers  of  the 
former  over  the  latter.  The  form  of  the  exactions  was 
changed,  but  the  substance  was  insisted  upon  with  increase^ 


252     History  of  the  Grmd  Army  of  the  Republic. 

pertinacity.  Port  duties  on  the  necessaries  of  life  were  sub 
stituted  for  stamp  taxes,  and  the  legality  of  their  assessment 
was  denied  and  their  collection  resisted  with  the  same 
sturdy  determination  that  had  been  previously  put  forth  in 
relation  to  the  Stamp  Act. 

"Again,  Union  became  the  watchword  of  the  people,  and 
'Join  or  Die'  rang  out  as  the  motto  of  these  real  Sons  of 
Liberty. 

"As  early  as  July,  1773,  Dr.  Franklin  advised  the  assem 
bling  of  a  general  Congress  of  all  the  colonies,  giving  as  a 
reason  for  this  advice  that  'the  strength  of  an  empire  de 
pends  not  only  on  the  union  of  its  parts,  but  on  their  read 
iness  for  a  united  exertion  of  their  common  force/ 

"Virginia,  although  unrepresented  in  the  Continental 
Congress  of  1765,  was  the  first  to  move  in  the  call  of  that 
of  1774.  The  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia  met  in  May, 
1774,  and  soon  after  the  meeting  news  was  received  that 
the  port  of  Boston  was  to  be  closed  by  an  act  of  Parliament 
on  the  first  day  of  June  following.  They  forthwith  passed 
an  order  designating  that  day  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humilia 
tion  and  prayer,  to  implore  the  Divine  interposition  for 
averting  the  heavy  calamity  which  threatened  destruction  to 
their  civil  rights  and  the  evils  of  civil  war,  and  to  give  them 
'one  heart  and  one  mind  firmly  to  oppose,  by  all  just  and 
proper  means,  every  injury  to  American  rights/ 

"This  action,  as  might  have  been  and  doubtless  was  ex 
pected,  brought  down  upon  them  the  displeasure!  of  the 
royal  Governor,,  who  immediately  dissolved  the  House.  But 
the  members  immediately  re-assembled  in  another  place,  and 
declared  that  all  the  colonies  had  a  joint  interest  in  the  late 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     ?53 

proceeding  of  Parliament,  and  advised  the  calling  of  a  gen 
eral  Continental  Congress.  In  accordance  with  this  recom 
mendation  a  convention  of  the  people  o<f  Virginia  was  held, 
by  which  seven  persons  were  appointed  to  represent  the  peo 
ple  of  that  colony  in  a  General  Congress  to  be  held  at  Phil 
adelphia  in  the  following  September. 

"Massachusetts  promptly  seconded  the  motion  of  Vir 
ginia  for  a  Congress,  and  other  colonies  soon  followed  their 
example  by  appointing  delegates.  Here  again  the  delegates 
were  the  representatives  of  the  people,  and  not  the  repre- 
(Sentatives  of  the  local  colonial  governments.  They  were  ap 
pointed  either  by  conventions  of  the  people  or  by  the  pop- 
Ailar  branches  of  the  Legislatures  acting  for  the  people. 

"These  delegates  met  at  Philadelphia  In  Congress  on  the 
5th  day  of  September,  1774,  and  designated  themselves  in 
their  proceedings  as  /The  Delegates  appointed  by  the  good 
people  of  the  colonies.'  All  the  colonies  were,  represented  in 
this  Congress  except  Georgia. 

"Being  without  a  written  constitution  or  compact  of 
union,  and  not  yet  seriously  contemplating  independence,  the 
Congress  of  1774,  in  imitation  of  that  of  1765,  resolved  that 
each  colony  should  have  one  vote,  but  to  prevent  this  from 
being  drawn  into  precedent  theiy  declared  as  a  reason  for 
this  action  that  they  could  not  procure  reliable  data  for 
determining  the  importance  of  each  colony. 

"This  Congress,  after  declaring  the  rights  of  the  people 
of  the  colonies  and  setting  forth  the  grievances  of  which 
they  complained,  prepared  an  agreement  of  non-intercourse 
with  the  mother  country,  which  was  signed  by  all  the  mem 
bers  and  recommended  to  the;  people  for  their  adoption  until 


254     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

their  grievances  should  be  fully  redressed.  They  adjourned 
on  the  26th  day  of  October,  having  first  recommended  that 
another  Congress  of  all  the  colonies  should  be  held  at  Phil 
adelphia,  on  the  10th  day  of  May,  1775,  unless  their  griev 
ances  should  be  betfore  that  time  redressed,  and  that  dele 
gates  to  the  new  Congress  should  be  appointed  without 
delay. 

"In  the  meantime,  the  Colonial  Government  of  Massa 
chusetts  was  revolutionized.  Parliament  had  attempted  to 
subvert  their  charter  by  changing  the  mode  of  selecting  the 
Council,  so  as  to  insure  the  subserviency  of  that  branch  of 
the  Legislature  to  thq  Crown  and  Parliament.  Popular  in 
dignation  was  so  aroused  by  this  fresh  act  of  aggression  that 
the  new  Councillors  were  compelled  to  resign.  Writs  of 
election  had  been  issued  for  a  new  House  of  Representatives, 
but  the  royal  Governor,  in  consequence  of  the  compulsory 
resignation  of  the  Councillors,  countermanded  by  proclama 
tion  the  writs  of  election. 

"The  people,  in  disregard  of  the  Governor's  proclama 
tion  held  their  elections,  and  the  members-elect  met  pursu 
ant  to  the  precepts.  There  being  no  council,  and  the  Gov 
ernor  failing  to  recognize  the  members  elected  to  the  House 
of  Representatives,  of  course  they  had  no  power  under  the 
Charter  to  legislate.  The  members  of  the  House  adjourned 
from  Salem  to  Cambridge,  and  resolved  themselves  into  a 
Provincial  Congress,  and  the  people  of  the  colony  sanctioned 
this  proceeding  by  generally  yielding  obedience  to  their 
authority. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1775,  the  battle  of  Lexington  was 
fought,  and  on  the  10th  of  the  succeeding  month  the  Con- 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     255 

tinental  Congress  met  in  Philadelphia.  The  delegates  had 
[been  chosen  partly  by  conventions  of  the  people,  and  partly 
by  the  popular  branch  of  such  of  the  Colonial  Legislatures 
as  were  then  in  session ;  but  these  latter  appointments  were 
all  subsequently  ratified  by  conventions  of  the  people. 

"At  the  opening  of  the  session  all  the  colonies  were 
represented  except  Georgia  and  Rhode  Island,  and  five  days 
afterwards  the.  delegates  of  the  latter  appeared,  leaving 
Georgia  alone  unrepresented.  Congress  continued  in  session 
until  the  first  day  of  August,  when  they  took  a  recess  to  the 
*5th  day  of  September.  Soon  after  their  re-assembling,  all 
the  colonies,  including  Georgia,  were  represented.  Civil 
war  had  actually  commenced,  and  Congress  at  once  became 
the  organ  of  the  united  resistance  of  the  colonies  to  the 
mother  country.  It  at  once  assumed  the  control  of  the  leg 
islation  of  the  continent,  and  instead  of  considering  itself 
tlie  agent  of  the  local  colonial  governments  it  acted  as  the 
representative  of  the  majesty  of  a  united  people,  and  advised 
the  colonies  what  they  should  do  in  the  matter  of  recon 
structing  their  local  governments,  put  the  country  in  a  state 
of  defense,  and  assumed  control  of  the  military  operations 
of  the  colonies.  It  devised  ways  and  means  for  conducting 
the  war,  organized  a  continental  or  national  army  by 
adopting  the  army  raised  by  the  New  England  Provinces, 
and  then,  under  the  command  of  General  Ward,  and  by 
directing  troops  to  be  raised1  by  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and 
Virginia,  to  join  the  army  near  Boston,  which  was  desig 
nated  by  Congress  as  the  American  Continental  Army ;  and 
was  ordered  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Continental  treasury.  On 
the  15th  day  of  June,  1775,  George  Washington,  one  of  the 


256     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

delegates  from  Virginia,  was  unanimously  chosen  by  Con 
gress  to  be  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  Continental 
forces.  In  Washington's  commission,,  the  style  of  fthe  Unit 
ed  Colonies'  was  for  the  first  time  adopted,  and  the  defense 
of  American  liberties  was  assumed  as  the  great  object  of  the 
Union.  In  a  letter  of  instructions  which  accompanied  this 
commission,  the  General  was  enjoined  by  Congress  to  make 
it  his  special  care  that  the  liberties  of  America  received  no 
detriment. 

"Here,  then,  we  have  a  national  Congress,  a  national 
Army,  a  national  Treasury  and  a  national  Union,  without 
a  single  State  in  the  Union.  What,  then,  becomes  of  the 
oft-repeated  assumption  that  the  States  made  the  Union, 
'and  can  therefore  unmake  it  at  pleasure  by  withdrawing 
therefrom  ? 

"The  Continental  Congress,  finding  that  their  cherished 
idea  of  a  reconciliation  with  the  mother  country  on  the 
basis  of  justice  and  freedom  was  a  delusive  hope,  on  the 
[Fourth  day  of  July,  1776,  adopted  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence,  the  colonies  voting  unanimously  therefor,  and 
sent  it  forth  to  the  world. 

"What  evidence  does  this  instrument  contain  as  to  the 
pre-existence  of  the  Union  and  its  nature?  Let  it  speak 
[for  itself,  and  judge  ye  whether  its  utterances  are  doubtful 
either  as  to  the  existence!  of  the  Union,  or  the  authority  up 
on  which  Congress  acted  in  making!  the  Declaration. 

"Its  first  sentence  reads  as  follows : 

"  'When,  in  the  course  of  human  events,  it  becomes  nec 
essary  for  ONE  PEOPLE  to  dissolve  the  political  bonds  which 
have  connected  them  with  another,  and  to  assume  among 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     257 

the  powers  of  the  earth  the  separate  and  equal  station  to 
which  the  laws  of  nature  and  of  nature's  God  entitle  them, 
a  decent  respect  for  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires  that 
they  should  declare  the  causes  which  impel  them  to  the 
separation/ 

"One  People!  What  stronger  or  more  emphatic  expres 
sion  could  have  been  employed  to  indicate  the  oneness  of  our 
beloved  country?  The  clause  just  quoted  from  the  Declara 
tion  shows  that  prior  to  and  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  day 
of  July,  1770,  there  were  political  bonds  connecting  the 
One  People  of  the  thirteen  colonies  with  another  people, 
even  the  people  of  Great  Britain;  that  this  connection  pre 
vented  this  'One  People'  from  exercising  among  the  Pow 
ers  of  the  earth  that  sovereignty  to  which  they  were  enti 
tled,  but  which  they  had  never  possessed;  and  for  the  pur 
pose  of  dissolving  this  connection  and  enabling  this  One 
'People  to  assume  among  the  Powers  of  the  earth  the  sep 
arate  and  equal  station  which  was  rightfully  theirs,  is  the 
declared  object  of  this  immortal  instrument.  Our  fathers, 
in  declaring  their  independence,  did  not  usher  into  the 
world  thirteen  independent  sovereign  nations  or  States; 
but  they  did  introduce  into  the  family  of  nations  one  peo 
ple,  one  nation,  composed  of  the  united  people  of  thirteen 
colonies,  bound  together  in  the  same  bundle  of  the  Union, 
and  they  claimed  for  this  'One  People/  one,  and  only  one, 
separate  and  equal  place  among  the  Powers  of  the  earth. 
Let  us  thank  the  Euler  of  the  Universe  that  His  Provi 
dence  made  good  thej  declaration  of  177(>,  and  through  that 
same  Providence  directing  the  minds,  nerving  the  arms  and 
encouraging  the  hearts  of  the  patriotic,,  brave  and  good  men 


258     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

of  our  own  generation,  we  are  to-day,  after  the  lapse  of 
nearly  a  century,  still  one  people,  occupying  one,  and  only 
one,  separate  and  equal  station  among  the  Powers  of  the 
world. 

"But  the  evidence  contained  in  the  declaration  in  favor 
of  our  national  unity  and  the  paramount  sovereignty  of  the 
people  of  the  entire  Union  does  not  stop  here.  Let  me  quote 
in  your  hearing  a  portion  of  its  concluding  sentence.  It 
reads  thus : 

"'We  therefore,  the  representatives  of  the  United  Slates 
\of  America  in  general  Congress  assembled,  appealing  to  the 
Supreme  Judge  of  the  world  for  the  rectitude  of  our  inten 
tions,  do  in  the  name  and  Inj  the  authority  of  the  good  peo 
ple  of  these  colonies  solemnly  publish  and  dleclare  that  these 
United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right,  ought  to  be  free  and  in 
dependent  States/ 

"Here  is  the  title  deed  of  our  nationality  made  in  the 
name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  the  United 
Colonies,  acting  through  their  chosen  representatives  in  the 
general  Congress.  Does  any  one  of  the  original  thirteen 
States  claim  to  be!  sovereign  and  independent?  If  so,  she 
is  estopped  from  dating  her  sovereignty  and  independence 
prior  to  the  Fourth  day  of  July,  1776,  for  in  the  declara 
tion  she  acknowledges  her  previous  colonial  condition  and 
her  want  of  equality  of  station  among  the  powers  of  the 
earth.  Each  of  the  States  was  born  independent  in  the 
Union,  but  not  independent  o<f  the  Union.  And  the  State 
that  would  destroy  the  Union  would  become  the  murderer 
of  the  mother  who  bore  her, 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     259 

"Are  we  told  that  the  articles  of  confederation  which 
preceded  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  was  a  com 
pact  by  its  terms  between  independent  sovereign  States? 
This  must  be  granted,  but  with  the  admission  should  go  the 
fact  that  these  articles  of  confederation  never  were  ratified 
and  never  became  effectual  until  the  War  of  the  Eevolution 
had  nearly  been  concluded.  The  ratification  took  place  and 
Congress  first  met  under  thorn  in  1781  and  peace  came  in 
1783.  The  Union  was  a  verity  for  six  years  and  more  prior 
to  the  ratification  of  these  articles,  and  they,  being  a  depart 
ure  from  the  grand  principle  of  national  unity,  announced 
fin  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  were  soon  given  up  for 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  again  spoke 
the  national  will  by  the  authority,  not  of  the  States,  but  of 
one  united  people. 

"One  other  historical  incident  bearing  upon  the  same 
'point,  and  I  conclude  this  branch  of  the  subject. 

"When  the  Commissioners  of  France,  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States  met  in  Paris,  in  August,  1782,  to  con 
clude  a  treaty  of  peace,  the  British  Commissioner  produced 
a  commission  in  the  language  of  a  then  recent  act  of  Par 
liament,  by  which  the  King  was  authorized  to  conclude  a 
peace'  with  certain  colonies  therein  named,  the  thirteen  col 
onies  being  named  separately  in  the  act.  Mr.  Jay,  one  of 
the  American  Commissioners,  objected  to  the  sufficiency  of 
this  authority,  and  refused  to  proceed  with  the  negotiations 
until  the  British  Commissioner  returned  and  procured  in 
structions  authorizing  him  to  treat  with  'the  Commissioners 
of  the  United  States  of  America/  and  the  treaty  was  then 

17— 


260     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

made  between  France,  Great  Britain,  and  the  United  States ; 
the  Commissioners  of  each  representing  one  sovereign  and 
independent  power. 

"This  historical  review  clearly  shows  that  Mr.  Lincoln 
was  right  when  he  declared  in  his  first  message  to  Congress 
that  'the  States  have  their  stains  in  the  Union,  and  they 
have  no  other  legal  status.  If  they  break  from  this,  they 
can  only  do  so  against  law  and  by  revolution.  The  Union, 
and  not  themselves  separately,  procured  their  independence 
and  their  liberty.  By  conquest  or  purchase  the  Union  gave 
each  of  them  whatever  of  independence  or  liberty  it  has. 
The  Union  is  older  than  any  of  the  States,  and  in  fact  it 
created  them  as  States.  Originally  some  dependent  colonies 
made  the  Union,  and  in  turn  the  Union  threw  off  their 
dependence  for  them,  and  made  them  States  such  as  they 
are.  Not  one  of  them  ever  had  a  State  constitution  inde 
pendent  of  the  Union/ 

"So  spoke  the  'good  President5  to  his  countrymen,  and, 
though  being  dead,  so  he  still  speaks.  May  the  people  ever 
heed  his  words,  and  remember  that  the  Union  has  been  the 
source  of  all  our  political  blessings  in  the  past,  and  is  the 
foundation  of  all  our  hopes  for  the  future ! 

"The  Declaration  of  Independence,  as  we  have  seen,  as 
sumed  the  previous  existence  of  the  Union,  and  declared  the 
national  independence.  It  did  more,  it  proclaimed  the  in 
alienable  rights  of  men,  and  these  rights  thus  proclaimed, 
constitute  another  of  the  broad,  deep  foundations  of  Amer 
ican  institutions  and  introduces  the  second  topic  proposed 
for  your  consideration. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     261 

"In  the  light  of  the  grand  historic  transactions  of  the 
last  six  years  which  have  so  gloriously  vindicated  our  nation 
al  unity,  may  we  not  to-day  repeat  with  a  new  emphasis  the 
words  of  our  fathers  that  'We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self- 
evident;  that  all  men  are  created  equal;  that  they  are  en 
dowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights;  that 
among  these  are  life,  liberty.,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.' 

"This  sublime  utterance  was.,  as  I  have  said,  one  of  the 
broad,  deep  foundations  upon  which  the  fathers  of  the 
Itupublic  built  the  infant  nation,  and  though  they  and  we 
as  to  a  portion  of  our  people  for  a  time  practically  ignored 
the  truths  thus  uttered,  under  the  alternate  smiles  and  chas- 
tenings  of  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the  world,  to  whom  they 
appealed  for  the  rectitude  of  their  intentions,  we  have  grown 
and  prospeied  until  the  Grand  Republic  lias  become  the 
beacon  light  as  well  as  the  marvel  of  the  world. 

"Although  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  cor 
rected  the  error  which  had  been  committed  in  the  Articles 
of  Confederation,  as  to  the  nature  of  our  Union,  and  the 
relation  of  the  several  parts  to  each  other,  and  to  the  whole, 
and  so  far  restored  us  to  the  principles  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  it  recognized,  while  ashamed  to  pronounce 
or  record  the  name  of  that  monster  iniquity,  chattel  and 
hereditary  slavery.  Thus  we  presented  to  the  world  the 
spectacle  of  a  great  republic  built  on  the  foundation  of  a 
perfect  equality  of  rights  among  men,  and  yet  practically 
'denying  to  a  portion  of  its  people  the  enjoyment  of  all  their 
rights.  Slavery  so  blinded  the  minds  and  hardened  the 
hearts  of  the  nation  that  the  national  government,  in  all  its 


262     History  of  the  Grcmd  Army  of  the  Republic. 

departments,  executive,  legislative.,  and  judicial,  bowed 
down  at  the  shrine  of  the  monster.  It  claimed  protection 
under  the  flag  of  freedom  wherever  it  floated,  and  de 
nounced  as  traitors  and  infidels  all  who  denied  its  preten 
sions.  At  last,  under  the  pretence  of  vindicating  the  Con 
stitution,  it  attempted  to  overthrow  the  Eepublic,  and  build 
upon  its  ruins  a  political  monstrosity,  called  a  confederacy, 
of  which  human  bondage  instead  of  the  inalienable  rights 
of  man  was  to  be  the  chief  corner-stone.  Although  the 
'national  conscience  was  so  debauched  as  to  be  no  longer  able 
to  perceive  the  horrors  of  slavery,  a  vast  majority  of  the 
people  still  loved  the  Union  of  their  fathers,  and  God  in 
His  goodness  made  this  love  our  school-master  to  bring  us 
back  to  the  love  of  liberty,  not  as  a  mere  sentiment,  but  as 
a  living,  energizing  universal  principle.  By  showing  the 
nation  that  either  the  Union  or  slavery  must  die,  he  edu 
cated  us  up  to  the  point  that  sanctioned  the  issuing  of  the 
proclamation  that  rang  out  freedom  to  the  land  and  to  all 
the  inhabitants  thereof;  and  the  people  said  Amen;  and 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic  said  Amen;  and  slavery 
died  amidst  its  worshipeTs,  the  Union  was  saved,  and  a  re 
generated  Eepublic  shouted  Amen. 

"However  difficult  it  may  be  under  certain  complications 
to  apply  in  practice  the  great  doctrine  of  equal  rights  among 
men,  is  it  not  wonderful,  notwithstanding  all  the  lessons  of 
experience,  that  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  should 
even  in  our  own  day  arrogate  to  himself  the  possession  of 
rights  which  he  denies  to  his  fellow-man.  And  how  con 
temptible1  and  cowardly  does  this  claim  of  superior  rights 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     263 

become  when  it  is  based  upon  the  assumption,  true  or  false, 
that  it  exists  because  the  man  who  makes  the  claim  is  supe 
rior  to  him  as  against  whom  it  is  made. 

"If  one  man  or  one  race  of  men  is  weaker  than,  or 
inferior  to  another,  is  it  not  an  imputation  upon  the  wis 
dom  and  justice  of  the  God  of  nature  to  assert  that  the 
weaker  man  or  weaker  race  is  endowed  by  nature  with 
inferior  rights;  that  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  universe  so 
legislates  as  not  to  protect  the  weak  against  the  strong,  but 
the  strong  against  the  weak.  That  He  is  the  God  of  tilie 
proud,  the  arrogant,  and  the  powerful,  but  not  the  God  of 
the  weak  and  the  lowly.  That  he  is  a  respecter  of  persons, 
Jmt  not  a  respecter  of  righteousness.  Surely  such  doctrines 
find  no  sanction  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  or  in 
the  teachings  of  Him  who  enjoined  that  'all  things  whatso 
ever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them,  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets/ 

"If  one  man  or  race  of  men  claims  superior  rights  and 
greater  protection  from  society  and  government  in  the  bat- 
tJe  of  life,  because  of  his  or  its  supposed  superiority  to  an 
other  man  or  another  race,  prudence  would  seem  to  dictate 
that  the  claimant  should  take  out  a  policy  against  the  acci 
dent  of  his  being  mistaken  in  the  assumption. 

"Fortunately,  companies  now  exist  that  are  willing  to 
insure  against  accidents  of  all  kinds. 

"If  the  assumed  superiority  does  exist,  so  much  the 
greater  is  the  reason  that  the  inferior  and  the  weaker  should 
enjoy  the  protection  of  equal  rights  and  equal  laws.  If  it 
does  not  exist,  the  claim  is  based  on  a  falsehood,  and  must 
therefore  fall. 


264     History  of  Hie   Grand  Army  of  tlie  Republic. 

i  "The  Declaration  of  Independence  does  not  proclaim  the 
absurd  doctrine  that  all  men  of  the  same  race  are  created 
equal,  and  that  as  among  themselves  they  are  entitled  to 
certain  inalienable  rights,  but  that  as  to  other  races  they 
are  not  equal,  and  do  not  possess,  or  may  be  despoiled  of 
their  rights.  Again,  if  a  superior  race  may  deny  to  an 
inferior  race  the  enjoyment  of  equal  and  impartial  rights, 
why  may  not  a  superior  man  deny  to  an  inferior  man  of 
the  same  race  the  same  thing?  I  defy  mortal  man  to  show 
why  the  logic  that  proves  the  one  proposition  will  not  prove 
the  other.  The  result  of  such  logic  would  be  that  the  most 
superior  man  in  the  nation  must  govern  all  thcs  rest,  and  to 
be  consistent  we  would  all  have  to  bow  to  some  shrewd  fel 
low  like  Louis  Napoleon,  and  say,  'We  await  your  superior 
pleasure;  your  will  is  the  law;  you  are  the  Government  by 
divine  right  of  superiority/ 

•  "This  is  not  the  time  nor  the  place  to  discuss  mere  par 
tisan  questions,  but  on  a  day  consecrated  to  liberty,  and  in 
the  presence  of  so  many  of  its  noble  and  gallant  defenders, 
may  we  not  with  entire  propriety  consider  the  rights  of 
humanity  and  the  practical  application  of  the  principles  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  to  the  duties  of  life? 

"Believing  such  considerations  to  be  appropriate  to  the 
occasion,  I  have  no  hesitancy  in  saying  that  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion  and  the  consequences  which  have  already 
flown  and  which  are  still  to  flow  therefrom  must,  at  no  dis 
tant  day,  place  the  Nation  on  the  broad  platform  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  consequently  assure  to  all 
classes  of  our  citizens  of  every  race,  equal  and  impartial 
civil  and  political  rights  thenceforth  and  forever. 


History  of  ihe  Untnd  Army  of  the  llepubllc.      265 

"In  my  judgment,  the  sooner  this  consummation  is 
reached  the  better  will  it  be  for  the  country,  and  the  sooner 
will  the  Republic  bo  prepared  for  that  high  mission  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth  which  we  all  believe  God  in  His 
providence  designs  it  to  accomplish. 

"When  and  by  what  particular  instrumentalities  this  re 
sult  is  to  be  attained  may  not  now  be  certainly  determined, 
but  I  must  be  permitted  to  express  the  'opinion  that  as  to 
those  States  which  have  always  been  true*  and  loyal  to  the 
'Union,  and  none  of  whose  rights  have  ever  been  forfeited  by 
'treason  or  rebellion,  the  question  must  be  left  to  the  volun 
tary  action  of  the  people  of  the  States  respectively,  and  that 
these  loyal  States  should  freelv,  and  without  unnecessary 
delay,  concede  that  which  justice  and  sound  policy  unite  in 
demanding. 

"By  such  a  course  the  General  Government  will  assume 
no  questionable  powers:  our  traditional  policy  as  to  the 
proper  sphere  of  State  and  Federal  action  will  be  preserved  : 
a,  just  confidence  will  be  manifested  by  the  national  author 
ities  in  those*  States  whose  people  have  never  heretofore  fal 
tered  in  the  hour  of  trial,  and  a  broad  line  of  demarkation 
will  be  drawn  between  that  confidence  which  uninterrupted 
loyalty  deserves,  and  that  distrust  which  past  rebellion  justly 
inspires. 

"That  justice  will  be  done,  and  impartial  rights  accord 
ed,  and  that,  too,  at  no  distant  day,  by  all  the  loyal  States, 
should  not  be  doubted,  and  if,  in  the  end,  it  shall  be  found 
that  one  or  two  semi-loyal  States  have  bound  themselves  to 
the  dead  past,  and  are  determined  not  to  profit  by  the  les 
sons  of  experience,  with  all  the  other  States  firmly  planted 


266     History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

ion  the  immutable  principles  of  right  and  justice,  and  with 
all  the  power  of  the  General  Government  on  the  side  of  free 
dom  and  equal  rights,  how  easy  will  it  not  be  to  bring  up 
these  reluctant  States  to  the  common  level  by  an  amendment 
of  the  Constitution,,  without  a  resort  to  the  exercise  of  doubt 
ful  Congressional  powers. 

"Gentlemen  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  .Republic,  allow 
me,  on  behalf  of  myself  and  the  Trustees  of  the  Soldiers' 
(Home,  to  thank  you  for  your  presence  and  for  your  partic 
ipation  in  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  this  Home  for 
your  disabled  comrades.  You  have  illustrate*!  your  devo 
tion  to  the  Union,  and  to  the  great  principles  upon  which 
our  institutions  are  based,  on  many  a  well-contested  Held, 
and  your  State  and  your  country  recognize  you  as  the  wor 
thy  descendants  of  the  noble  men  who  declared  and  achieved 
our  independence. 

"To  perpetuate  friendships  formed  on  the  march,  on  the 
battlefield,  and  around  your  camp-fires  during  the  war;  to 
keep  the  fires  of  liberty  ever  bright  and  burning  on  the  altar 
of  your  hearts,  and  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  your  brother- 
soldiers  when  trouble  or  distress  overtake  them,  you  have 
associated  yourselves  together  under  the  name  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Eepublic.  We  bid  your  brotherhood  Godspeed, 
and  trust  that  the  blessing  of  the  Father  of  all,  and  the 
benedictions  of  a  grateful  people  may  attend  each  of  you 
through  life. 

"And  to  you,  the  honored  inmates  of  tin's  Home,  I  desire 
to  say  that,  however  much  we  may  regret  that  the)  provision 
made  for  its  establishment  and  your  comfort,  is  not  as  ample 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.     267 

as  could  have  been  desired,  still  you  may  rest  assured  that 
the  people  of  Indiana  in  grateful  recognition  of  your  ser 
vices,  toils  and  sufferings,  will  in  due  time  supply  all  that 
may  be  lacking  to  make  this  institution  a  Home  for  those 
who  gave  for  their  country  all  that  man  can  give,  life  only 
excepted.  That  you  may  lead  peaceful  and  happy  lives  in 
this  institution,  and  at  last  through  the  mediation  of  the 
Son,  be  admitted  to  the  Father's  House  in  which  there  are 
many  mansions,  is  not  only  the  prayer  of  myself,  but  the 
prayer  of  all  present." 


APPENDIX  V. 

NOTE. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  show  the  decay  of  the  Order 
from  1870.  According  to  Beath's  History  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  21  Departments  and  180  represent 
atives  composed  the  2d  National  Encampment  held!  at  Phil 
adelphia,  January  15th,  1868. 

At  the  3d  National  Encampment,  held  at  Cincinnati, 
May  12th,  18G9,  were  23  Departments  and  79  representa 
tives  and  officers. 

At  the  4th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Washington, 
May  llth,  1870,  were  1.9  Departments  and  52  representa 
tives  and  officers. 

At  the  5th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Boston,  May 
10th,  1871,  were  17  Departments  and  68  representatives  and 
officers. 

At  the  6th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Cleveland, 
May  8th,  1872,  were  16  Departments  and  75  representatives 
and  officers. 

At  the  7th  National  Encampment,  held  at  New  Haven, 
May  14th,  1873,  were  16  Departments  and  48  representatives 
and  officers. 

At  the  8th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Harrisburg, 
May  13th,  1874,  were  15  Departments  and  51  representa 
tives  and  officers. 

269 


270     History  of  the  Grmd  Army  of  the  Republic. 

At  the  9th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Chicago,  May 
12th,  1875,  were  14  Departments  and  78  representatives  and 
officers. 

At  the  10th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Philadel 
phia,  June  30th,  1876,  were  22  Departments  and  100  De 
partment  officers  and  representatives. 

At  the  llth  National  Encampment,  held  at  Providence, 
June  26th,  1877,  were  12  Departments  and  96  officers  and 
representatives. 

At  the  12th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Springfield, 
Mass.,  June  4th,  1878,  were  14  Departments  and  85  rep 
resentatives. 

At  the  13th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Albany,  N. 
Y.,  June  17th,  1879,  were  19  Departments  and  114  officers 
and  representatives. 

At  the  14th  National  Encampment,  held  at  Dayton,  June 
8th,  1880,  were  19  Departments  and  114  representatives  and 
officers. 

From  this  time  forward  the  Order  began  to  revive,  but 
without  reaching  any  great  maximum,  keeping  pretty  nearly 
balanced,  year  by  year,  in  membership. 

"Previous  to  the  adoption  of  the  grades,  it  had  been 
claimed  250,000  members  were  enrolled.  Less  than  25,000 
remained  when  the  system  was  abolished.  ...  Of  those 
who  remained  there  was  a  large  number  who  deemed  the 
radical  changes  a  grave  error  of  judgment."  (Beatles  His 
tory.)  I  am  glad  to  find  that  my  convictions  and  proph 
ecies  upon  the  introduction  of  the  degrees  and  the  conse^ 
quent  disruption  of  the  Order  affirmed  by  my  friend  and 
comrade,  General  Beath. 


History  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the,  Republic.     271 

If  the  roll  of  that  membership,  previous  to  the  introduc 
tion  of  the  degrees,  and  the  abolishment  of  the  first  Uiitual, 
[thus  absolving  every  member  from  its  obligation],  could 
have  been  called  on  the  5th  day  of  January.  1870,  many 
would  be  missing;  and  if  called  ten  years  later,  fewer  still 
would  be  found  to  answer.  If  called  to-day,  a  voice1  here 
and  there  would  lie  heard — only  an  echo  of  the  past,  lint 
few  of  the  men  who  were?  in  the  Order  in  18(>(>-7()  are  in 
the  Order  to-day. 


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